The House of Representatives during its plenary on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, raised a motion on the need to reverse the recent hike of school fees in Unity Secondary Schools in Nigeria.
The motion was raised by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi​​​​​ and Hon. Kama Nkemkanma who are concerned that the recently approved increase in school fees for students in Federal Government Colleges across the Country by the Federal Ministry of Education has caused anxiety among parents and students who are still grappling with the effects of the economic hardship caused by the recent subsidy removal.
Also worried that as a result of the new school fees regime, many parents are considering withdrawing their wards from schools as they are unable to meet up with the fees, hence the country may have to deal with the dire consequences of having an alarming number of out-of-school children.
Further worried that the increment will likely lead to a decline in Students enrolment in these schools which were originally intended to be affordable, the impact of which would be on the already declining quality of education and the overall development of Nigeria.
The house, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Education to review the new School Fees Regime in Federal Government Colleges and revert to the old regime,
The house also mandated the Committee on Basic Education (when constituted) to investigate the hike in school fees for students of Federal Government Colleges across the country to ensure that basic education remains accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
Olalere Taiwo
For: Head of press
Office of the senior special assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters