Parents in Enugu metropolis have expressed growing concern over what they describe as unbearable increases in tuition fees and levies charged by many private and faith-based schools in the state.
Findings by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that a large number of nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the state have raised their tuition and related levies by between 20 and 50 percent compared to the last academic session.
The development comes at a time when many households are already struggling with the rising cost of living, driven by inflation, high food prices, and economic uncertainty. Parents say the sharp hike in school charges has placed them under severe financial strain, with some considering withdrawing their children from private schools to seek more affordable alternatives.
“I have three children in private school, and the fees have gone up by almost 40 percent this term,” lamented Mrs. Ifeoma Nnaji, a parent in GRA, Enugu. “When you add uniforms, books, and development levies, it becomes almost impossible to cope. Many families are cutting down on other essentials just to keep their children in school.”
Some parents accused schools of exploiting the economic situation, while others acknowledged that institutions may be grappling with higher operating costs, such as increased salaries, diesel for power generation, and learning materials.
School administrators who spoke with NAN defended the increment, noting that inflation and rising utility costs made fee adjustments unavoidable. A proprietor of a faith-based secondary school explained: “We are not happy about raising fees, but we have to maintain standards, pay teachers a living wage, and keep the school running. Without adjustments, we cannot sustain operations.”
Education analysts warn that the trend could widen the inequality gap, as quality education becomes increasingly out of reach for lower and middle-income families. They urged government authorities to intervene by strengthening public schools, regulating arbitrary levies, and providing targeted support for struggling households.
Parents in Enugu have appealed to the state government to step in to protect families from what they termed “unjustifiable exploitation,” stressing that education should remain a priority for all children regardless of economic background.
