An imminent surge in fees for private schools based in Abuja is on the horizon, driven by the decision of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to increase operational charges for these educational institutions in the capital city.
According to a memo obtained on Monday from Mudi Muhammed, the Head of Account at the Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, the new tax structure, effective from January 2024, will assess each school based on student tuition and enrollment figures.
The memo, titled “Review of private school operation charges in FCT,” highlights that the old charges will no longer be valid as of December 31, 2023, with the new rates taking effect from January 1, 2024.
The National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT expressed concern in a letter to the Education Secretariat, stating that such a tax review contradicts the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating multiple taxes and could exacerbate the issue of out-of-school children by making education more costly for parents.
NAPPS requested a 50% reduction in existing annual dues, citing economic challenges, outstanding bank loans, unpaid fees, and various levies.
The association plans to write to Minister Nyesom Wike and notify the Parents-Teachers Association about the newly imposed tax.
