Extra school charges add to financial strain on Nigerian parents

Summary

Parents across several Nigerian states say school-related fees beyond tuition are adding to the cost of private education and putting pressure on household budgets.

Highlights

• Parents in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Katsina and Benue described extra bills for graduation ceremonies, textbooks, costumes, feeding, extra lessons, photographs and parties.
• At Megaliy International School in Abuja, one parent said the end-of-session and graduation charges for three children came to almost N100,000.
• The report says some schools describe the payments as optional, but children whose parents do not pay may miss ceremonies, activities or refreshments.
• The federal government restricted graduation ceremonies in January to pupils completing Primary Six, JSS3 and SSS3 as part of reforms meant to reduce pressure on parents.
• The report says interviews suggest extra charges remain widespread, while enforcement varies across states.