The rising cost of education in private schools across Taraba State has continued to generate concern among parents and guardians, with growing calls for the state government to intervene and address what many described as incessant increases in tuition and other school-related charges.
The development, as observed by DAILY POST, has placed additional financial pressure on families across the state, particularly at a time when the cost of food, transportation, healthcare and other basic necessities has continued to rise.
Parents and guardians who spoke to our reporter expressed concern that repeated increases in tuition fees and other compulsory charges by some private schools are making quality education increasingly difficult for low- and middle-income families to afford.
One of the parents, Mary Pius, a mother of four, said some schools often introduce new charges or increase existing fees at the beginning of academic sessions without giving parents adequate opportunity to question the basis for such adjustments.
“Some schools have introduced new charges or increased existing fees at the beginning of academic sessions, while parents are often given little or no opportunity to question the basis for such increases,” she said.
Apart from tuition, parents are also expected to pay for uniforms, textbooks, examination fees, development levies, technology charges, transportation and other school-related expenses, thereby increasing the overall financial burden of educating children.
An educationist, Katherine Wasa, said the numerous additional charges attached to private school education had made it increasingly difficult for families to plan their finances.
“Beyond tuition fees, families are sometimes required to pay for uniforms, textbooks, examination fees, development levies, technology charges, transportation and other school-related expenses, further increasing the cost of educating a child,” Wasa said.
For some families, the situation has become so difficult that parents are being forced to reconsider their choice of schools, with some transferring their children to public schools as a means of reducing the financial burden.
A parent, Adamu Ishaq, said the persistent financial pressure associated with private schools had compelled many families to enrol their children and wards in public schools.
“The situation has compelled most parents to go ahead and enrol their children and wards in public schools, but the financial burden from these private schools has continued to give most of us sleepless nights,” Ishaq said.
Although private schools have played an important role in complementing government-owned schools and expanding access to education across Taraba, parents believe that stronger regulatory measures are needed to prevent arbitrary increases in fees.
They urged the Taraba State Government, through the relevant education authorities, to engage proprietors of private schools and establish clearer guidelines governing tuition fees and other compulsory charges.
They also called for greater transparency in the management of school fees, insisting that parents should be informed in advance of the complete cost of educating their children before the commencement of each academic session.
Kabiru Hussain, another concerned parent, specifically called on the Taraba State House of Assembly to consider legislative measures that would protect parents from what he described as unreasonable increases in private school fees.
“I believe the State House of Assembly has the power to intervene by regulating tuition fees in private schools, especially now that public schools are free across our dear state,” Hussain said.
The parents further appealed to the government to establish an effective complaint mechanism through which parents could report arbitrary fee increases, hidden charges and other practices capable of placing unnecessary financial pressure on families.
They argued that the issue should not be viewed merely as a disagreement between parents and private school proprietors, noting that excessive school fees could have wider implications for access to education and the future of children across the state.
According to them, when parents are unable to meet the financial demands of private schools, some children may be forced to change schools, discontinue their education temporarily or move to institutions that may not necessarily meet their educational needs.
The parents therefore appealed to the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas to consider the growing concerns over private school fees as part of its broader education reforms.
They said government intervention should seek to strike a balance between protecting parents from excessive charges and allowing private schools to remain financially viable and capable of providing quality educational services.
As the new academic session commenced, parents and guardians across the state are hoping that the government will take steps to bring greater stability, accountability and affordability to the private education sector.
They maintained that while private schools have the legitimate right to operate as businesses, their operations should also take into consideration the economic realities facing families.
Parents raise alarm over rising private school fees as new academic session begins