Parents hold differing views on the value of private schools. Many believe these institutions offer better teaching standards, stricter supervision, and a more conducive learning environment than public schools, making them a worthwhile Investment in their children’s future. Others, however, find the financial strain of private Education overwhelming, especially with rising tuition fees, additional costs for textbooks, uniforms, and other necessities. This variation in opinion has led to complaints about exorbitant fees, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ensuring access to quality education while addressing the economic realities faced by families across the country.
In response, the governments of Anambra and Enugu states have clarified their inability to regulate the fees charged by private schools, describing the issue as a competitive and market-driven endeavour. Officials made this known during a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) titled “Exorbitant School Fees Paid in Private Secondary Schools and Employment of Unqualified Teachers.” Both states emphasised that while many parents perceive private schools as offering better quality education and learning environment compared to public schools, decisions about school fees remain solely within the purview of private proprietors
Private school enrollment is subject to parental choice.
Anambra’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, explained that private schools operate independently and cater to families with varying financial capacities. She cited institutions such as British College, which charges nearly one million Naira annually, compared to other private schools with fees as low as ₦50,000. Chuma-Udeh reassured the public that state-run schools remain an affordable alternative, while the government continues to enforce strict standards for private institutions. She also emphasised that senior Secondary School teachers in the state are required to hold advanced qualifications, including degrees in education or other relevant fields, as well as certifications like the Postgraduate Diploma in Education, to uphold teaching quality.
Similarly, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, Commissioner for Education in Enugu, stressed the state’s dedication to ensuring accessible and high-quality education for all children. Through initiatives like the Enugu Green Smart Schools, the state has established what it considers the best school system in Africa, offering free Universal Basic Education and capping administrative fees for secondary schools at ₦4,500. While the government has no authority to regulate Private School fees, Mbah noted that comprehensive policies have been passed to enforce minimum standards for private institutions. These policies outline requirements for facility quality, Teacher qualifications, and overall school operations. He reiterated that private school fees remain a matter of parental choice, with the government’s focus on maintaining affordable and quality public education as an alternative.
NAPPS proprietors justify fee structures amid rising costs.
Proprietors in private schools across the states defended their fee structures, attributing them to rising economic pressures and the need to sustain operations. Julius Udekwe, Deputy Chairman of the Association of Private School Owners in Anambra, assured that many schools strive to keep fees affordable, even in the face of current economic hardships. Similarly, proprietors in Ebonyi, under the National Association of Private Proprietors of Schools (NAPPS), echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unique challenges faced by private institutions.
Nigerian private schools rely on tuition and fees to cover costs like staff salaries, facility maintenance, and educational resources, as opposed to public schools which are government-funded. This leaves proprietors with the challenge of setting fees that balance quality education with affordability. Rising operational costs have strained many private schools, with some struggling to stay afloat. Despite these challenges, their focus remains on providing a superior learning experience. Parents have differing views on the value of private education, with many seeing it as a worthwhile investment due to better teaching standards and a more conducive environment, while others are burdened by the rising costs, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing quality education with economic realities.
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Given the growing demand for quality education, private schools have become essential in Nigeria’s education landscape, offering alternatives that often surpass public institutions in academic standards. These schools employ qualified teachers, invest in modern resources, and ensure close oversight to maintain high-quality education. Their role is particularly crucial in areas where public schools are hindered by resource and Infrastructure challenges. However, rising operational costs present a significant barrier for many families, creating a delicate balance between maintaining high standards and ensuring accessibility to education for all.