On 2nd October 2024, I submitted a petition to the Honourable Minister of Education, highlighting a critical and growing challenge faced by Nigerian families. The escalating cost of education, exacerbated by the rising prices of single-use textbooks and, compulsory purchase of educational items like school uniforms socks, sandals, other branded school accessories and mandatory Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) dues.
This is a financial burden that many parents across the country can no longer bear, particularly in light of the current economic crisis, where inflation has severely eroded disposable income. Education, which should be a gateway to opportunity, is now becoming a source of hardship.
The issue is multifaceted, but one of the most pressing concerns is the requirement for students to purchase textbooks designed to be written in, rendering them unusable after a single academic year. These textbooks, which can cost up to N8,500 each, are not only expensive but also impractical for families with more than one school-age child.
Parents, already stretched thin, are left with no option to pass these books down to younger siblings or resell them. The cycle of purchasing new books each year creates a recurring financial drain, further deepening the strain on household budgets.
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In my home, I have a profound love for books, a passion I strive to instill in my children. I always tell them, “You see these books you use now? In 10 years, they will no longer just be books; they will be treasures.” Each book carries not only knowledge and stories but also the potential to shape minds and inspire futures.
I want my children to understand that the pages they turn today can become a part of their identity, legacy, and history. Books should be archived for life, serving as a permanent record of their learning and growth.
However, I find myself in a heartbreaking situation. Despite my deep respect for books, I have had to burn some of them because the textbooks our children are using now are designed to expire every nine months. This reality saddens me greatly. I think of those books as perishable items, akin to tomatoes, meant to be discarded rather than cherished. Who would use them when they are made to be disposable?
The act of burning these books feels like a loss not only of knowledge but of potential memories and connections to the past. But I have no choice but to burn them because they are too many books piled over the years and they took up space in the home.
In addition to these high-cost textbooks, many schools impose mandatory PTA dues on parents, often without clear justification or transparency. While PTAs are integral to school governance and improving educational standards, the lack of transparency in how these dues are allocated raises questions.
Parents are left wondering where their hard-earned money is going and whether it is being put to good use. In an economy where every naira counts, it is unfair to impose additional costs on parents without providing them with a clear and compelling reason.
I believe these issues are not just isolated complaints but reflect a systemic problem that affects millions of Nigerian families. Education is a fundamental right, yet the cost of accessing quality education has become prohibitive. I proposed several solutions in my petition, which, if implemented, would provide much-needed relief to parents while ensuring that students still receive the high-quality education they deserve.
First, I urged the Ministry of Education to mandate the use of reusable textbooks. These books would allow students to complete their assignments in separate notebooks, preserving the textbooks for future use. This simple change would drastically reduce the annual costs parents face and allow for the reuse or resale of textbooks, making education more affordable in the long run.
Countries like Finland, known for their top-tier education systems, have implemented similar practices with great success, and there is no reason Nigeria cannot adopt a similar approach.
Second, I called for a more stringent review of the textbooks prescribed by schools. The Ministry should implement clear guidelines requiring schools to justify their choices, particularly when the financial implications for parents are significant. Schools must prioritise cost-effective materials that meet educational standards without placing undue financial stress on families.
In this digital age, the Ministry could also explore the integration of affordable digital learning resources to complement physical textbooks, reducing dependency on costly printed materials.
I also advocated for greater collaboration between the Ministry of Education and textbook publishers to regulate pricing. Just as other industries are regulated to prevent exploitation, the education sector should ensure that the cost of textbooks is kept within reasonable limits. This could involve setting price caps or offering subsidies for essential learning materials, making education more accessible to all families, regardless of income level.
Regarding PTA dues, I suggested that contributions should be voluntary rather than compulsory, with full transparency on how the funds will be used. Schools should be required to communicate clearly with parents about the intended purpose of the funds, ensuring that they are not simply an additional burden but rather an investment in the students’ learning environment. By giving parents a choice and ensuring accountability, schools can foster greater trust and collaboration with the families they serve.
The response from the Honourable Minister of Education acknowledging my petition is a step in the right direction. However, acknowledgment alone is not enough. We need swift, decisive action to address these issues. The current system places an unfair burden on many families, and with inflation showing no signs of abating, the financial pressure will only worsen unless these reforms are implemented.
We must not allow the cost of education to become a barrier to learning. As a nation striving for progress, Nigeria cannot afford to let economic hardship stifle the educational development of its future leaders. By addressing the issue of expensive single-use textbooks and mandatory PTA dues, we can create a more equitable education system one that allows every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation, to receive the quality education they deserve.
My petition is not just about the concerns of one parent; it reflects the struggles of countless families across Nigeria. Education is the cornerstone of development, and by ensuring that it remains accessible and affordable, we are investing in the future of our country. I hope the Ministry will take these concerns seriously and implement the necessary reforms to create a more sustainable and equitable educational landscape for all.
Shaakaa is with the University of Agriculture, Makurdi
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