Many students in different parts of the country have resorted to trekking to school due to the significant increase in transportation costs occasioned by the recent fuel price increase.
Most schools across the country resumed for the new session yesterday while others are billed for resumption next week.
The hike in petrol prices has severely impacted family budgets, forcing parents to seek alternative schooling options.
Some state governments have postponed school resumption, citing concern over rising cost of transport.
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Findings showed that many schools have increased transport fees or suspended bus services, prompting parents to consider relocating their children to closer schools.
Parents who spoke to our correspondents on Monday expressed frustration over the dual burden of rising food costs and increased fuel prices, which have made it difficult to send their children as schools resume.
With the cost of food also escalating, some parents feel it is more prudent to keep their children at home rather than send them to school without adequate nourishment.
“I would rather ensure my children have food than send them to school without anything to eat. It is inhumane to send a child to school without proper nourishment,” Ibrahim Malam, the father of a secondary school student in Dutse, Jigawa State, said.
Taraba
In Taraba State, some parents told Daily Trust that they are facing financial strain, struggling to cover essential expenses such as food, school fees, and the inflated cost of fuel required for transporting their children to school.
A visit to several schools in Jalingo revealed that while schools have opened, many students have yet to return.
Mr Bulus Dauda, the proprietor of a private school in Jalingo, said he will have to raise both school bus fees and tuition fees due to inflation and the rise in petroleum prices.
Sani Muhammed, a parent, said he would transfer his children to a nearby school to avoid the high fuel costs.
He noted that he previously spent between N40,000 and N50,000 per term on fuel for transporting his five children, a cost he can no longer afford.
Katsina
In Katsina, students said they are experiencing over 25% increase in their regular transport fares, exacerbating their financial difficulties.
One student said, “Five of us used to pay N500 for transport to our area near Al-Bustan Hotel, but now the fare has doubled, and we can no longer afford it.”
One student said his father is considering buying a bicycle to ease his commute, while students living near their schools are opting to walk.
Malam Umar Kabiru, a parent, expressed concern saying: “The rise in petroleum prices has affected all aspects of life, not just transportation for school children. I have four children-two in secondary school and two in primary school.
“Besides transportation, they need food before going to school, and some may need new uniforms and books for their new classes. Everything is becoming more expensive.”
Borno parents want metro buses allocated for school children
Parents in Borno State have urged Governor Babagana Zulum to consider adjusting the time of the state’s metro bus services to accommodate school children.
The introduction of metro buses and electric taxis in Maiduguri, the state capital, provided some relief, but many who couldn’t access the initial 80 buses and 50 electric taxis, which charge N50 and N100 per ride respectively, shared their frustrations.
Aisha Abubakar, a mother, expressed her difficulties: “The rise in fuel prices has led many car owners to leave their vehicles at home. I arrived at the bus stop as early as 7am but found many parents stranded. We missed the N50 metro buses, and tricycles were too expensive. After waiting for over 30 minutes, I had to pay N300 per drop for each child. This fare is unaffordable.
“Governor Zulum should direct bus drivers to focus on transporting children to school between 6am and 8am, and from 1pm to 2pm, to alleviate the burden on parents.”
In Yola, Adamawa State, some parents, whose kids attend the same school, said they are now taking turns to transport them to school to mitigate costs.
“If one parent transports them to school today, another parent will do the same the following day,” a parent, Augustina Goje, said.
Kebbi/Sokoto
Hundreds of students and pupils in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, yesterday trekked to school as a result of the recent increase in transportation costs.
Our correspondent observed students walking long distances, some accompanied by their guardians.
Madam Grace Dauda, a mother of four, explained that trekking for her three children to school became necessary due to the unaffordability of transport fares.
“We used to spend about N1,200 on transportation, but with the current fuel price increase, even N3,000 won’t be sufficient. I can only afford to trek with them halfway, after which we will have to find alternative transport,” she said.
Many students in the state capital said the increase in transport fare was beyond their means.
In Sokoto State, the situation was similar, with many students trekking from their homes to school due to unaffordable transport costs.
A visit to several private schools in Sokoto revealed low attendance, with only a few students resuming classes.
A teacher from Brilliant International School noted that, “Most students did not resume today. While some absences are typical during the first week, the rise in fuel prices has exacerbated the problem, as many parents struggle with the high transport costs.”
Alhaji Musa Yusuf Goronyo, a father of six, told Daily Trust, “I have asked my children to stay home until next week when I can arrange for a tricycle rider to transport them to school.”
Niger
In Niger State, parents have expressed frustration over increasing transportation costs and are considering moving their children to schools closer to the home.
Mohammed Hassan Sonmaji, a parent from Albishir area of Minna, revealed that his children’s school had raised the transportation fee from N20,000 to N60,000. As a result, he plans to withdraw his children and enrol them in a nearby school.
Similarly, Abdullah Danjuma Makusidi, a resident of Talba Housing Estate, noted that the school his child attends is about 2km from his home.
He explained that the school had announced the suspension of bus services, prompting parents to protest and threaten to change schools if the plan proceeded. The school management is scheduled to meet this week to discuss the issue.
A mother, with a daughter at NUT Endwell Model School in Chanchaga, reported an increase in the bus service fee from N55,000 to N60,000. While she has not decided to withdraw her child, she acknowledged the financial strain.
Benue
In Benue State, our correspondent observed that at the start of the first term on Monday, many students were seen trekking to their schools.
Scholastica Onyeka, a mother of three secondary school students, explained, “The increase in transportation costs has made it impossible for my children to continue at their previous schools. Some schools have discontinued their bus services, while others have raised their transportation fees.
“Consequently, many of us have enrolled our children in schools closer to home. My children now walk to their new school, and I also moved one child from Gboko to Makurdi due to the rising transport cost.”
Similarly, Attah Ede has transferred his child from a distant school to one nearer to their residence, citing the unaffordable cost of bus services.
The proprietor of a private school in Gombe who requested to be anonymous, acknowledged the financial strain but noted that the increase in bus fees was necessary to manage rising costs and pay staff salaries.
“We recognise the difficulties faced by parents, but we are also dealing with higher fuel costs and the need to pay our teachers adequately to retain them,” he said.
FCT
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), many parents are expressing frustration over increasing school-related expenses despite stagnant salaries.
Mrs Veronica Anozie, whose three children attend a private secondary school in Kubwa, Abuja, said her term fees have risen from N123,500 to N137,500.
Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) in the FCT, has appealed to the federal government to urgently address the financial difficulties faced by parents and other Nigerians grappling with economic challenges.
Operational costs have increased – Proprietors
Yemi Otubela, president of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), acknowledged the rising operational costs for schools but assured that efforts will be made to ease the financial burden on parents.
Otubela said schools are facing increased expenses related to salaries, utility bills, and maintenance.
Despite these challenges, he emphasised the commitment to finding ways to alleviate costs for parents.
He also called on the federal government to provide grants and prioritise support for the education sector. “We urge the government to enhance collaboration between private schools and government agencies to address the pressing challenges facing our schools,” Otubela said.
We will review free student shuttle transportation – Ondo govt
Several school administrators in Ondo State said it might be prudent to suspend transportation arrangements until the economic condition stabilises.
The state government said it would review the free shuttle transportation service provided to public primary and secondary school students.
“We are considering a review of the free shuttle transportation process. Since its introduction, this service has been entirely free, and we remain committed to providing the best for our students,” Mr Laolu Akindolire, the Commissioner for Education told Daily Trust.
From Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina), Magaji I. Hunkuyi (Jalingo), Olatunji Omirin (Maiduguri), Ali R. Ali (Dutse), Amina Abdullahi (Yola), Yusha’u A. Ibrahim (Sokoto), Ismail Adebayo (Birnin Kebbi), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Haruna G. Yaya (Gombe), Abubakar S. Isah (Abuja), Dotun Omisakin (Lagos), Tosin Tope (Akure), Victor Edozie (Port Harcourt), Ado A. Musa (Jos), Kelvin Meluwa (Asaba), Nabob Ogbonna (Abakiliki), Eyo Charles (Calabar) & Joe Nwachukwu (Owerri)
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