Parents Kick As Fg Increases Fees In Unity Schools

SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – The National Parent and Teacher Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC) has kicked against increase in the fees of Unity schools.

NAPTAFEGC, in a communiqué by its National President, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, declared that the increase from N20,000 to N75,000 was untimely and insensitive by the government.

“That the increase of school fees from about N20,000 to about N75,000 in Unity colleges is most untimely and insensitive,” it said.

“An average Nigerian worker, whose minimum wage is N18,000, and who has one or two children in the Unity colleges, will be unable to keep his or her child or children in the Unity colleges.

“The increase is a negation of the policy or principle that established Unity colleges, which is to make basic and secondary education affordable and accessible to an average pupil.”

“The association appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly to compel the Federal Ministry of Education to revert to the old bills as the education of children is a right, and not a privilege.”

“The new fees, if not reversed, will force parents to withdraw their children from the Unity colleges.”

“The association will continue to partner the ministry by complementing its efforts in the provision of basic facilities in the Unity colleges.”

“The association appreciates the ministry in making the payment of insurance levy in the Unity colleges not compulsory, but optional.”

“The association frowns at any attempt to commercialise or make the cost of training children in the Unity colleges beyond the rich of an average parent.”

“Enough budgetary provision should be made and timely released to the Unity colleges to enable pupils to continue to compete favourably with those of other sound private schools.”

“The issue of security in Unity colleges must be given attention and commitment.”

“Pupils who have paid for books should always receive them in time and not when no longer needed.”

Story by David Oputah