JALINGO — Parents and guardians in Taraba State are raising concerns over rising fees charged by private schools as the new academic session begins, urging the state government to strengthen regulation and demand greater transparency from school proprietors.
Families across the state say repeated increases in tuition and other compulsory charges are placing additional pressure on household finances, particularly amid rising expenses for food, transportation, healthcare and other basic needs.
Some parents who spoke to reporters said they were concerned that fee adjustments were often announced at the beginning of academic sessions, leaving families with limited opportunity to question the reasons behind the increases or plan adequately for the additional costs.
Mary Pius, a mother of four, said some schools introduce new charges or increase existing fees when a new session begins without giving parents sufficient opportunity to seek clarification.
“Some schools have introduced new charges or increased existing fees at the beginning of academic sessions, while parents are often given little or no opportunity to question the basis for such increases,” she said.
The financial burden extends beyond tuition. Parents may also be required to pay for uniforms, textbooks, examinations, development levies, technology-related charges, transportation and other school expenses, increasing the total amount families must provide before and during the academic year.
Educationist Katherine Wasa said the accumulation of these additional payments makes it harder for families to accurately plan their education budgets.
“Beyond tuition fees, families are sometimes required to pay for uniforms, textbooks, examination fees, development levies, technology charges, transportation and other school-related expenses, further increasing the cost of educating a child,” Wasa said.
Rising Costs Push Some Families Towards Public Schools
For families already struggling to meet household expenses, the cost of private education is prompting some parents to reconsider where their children should attend school.
Adamu Ishaq, a parent, said financial pressures associated with private schools had pushed many families towards public institutions as a way of reducing education costs.
“The situation has compelled most parents to go ahead and enrol their children and wards in public schools, but the financial burden from these private schools has continued to give most of us sleepless nights,” Ishaq said.
Parents acknowledged the role private schools play in expanding educational opportunities and complementing government-owned institutions across Taraba. However, they argued that the sector requires stronger oversight to ensure that fee increases are not imposed arbitrarily.
They called on the state government, through its relevant education authorities, to engage private school proprietors and develop clearer guidelines covering tuition and other compulsory payments.
The parents also want schools to provide families with a complete breakdown of expected expenses before each academic session begins. They said advance disclosure would enable parents to understand the total cost of schooling and make informed decisions before enrolling or retaining their children.
Parents Seek Legislative Intervention
Kabiru Hussain, another parent, appealed to the Taraba State House of Assembly to consider measures that would provide greater protection against what he described as unreasonable increases in private school fees.
“I believe the State House of Assembly has the power to intervene by regulating tuition fees in private schools, especially now that public schools are free across our dear state,” Hussain said.
Parents also called for an accessible complaint mechanism through which families could report arbitrary increases, undisclosed charges and other practices they consider unfair.
They argued that the issue goes beyond individual disputes between families and school proprietors because the affordability of education can determine whether children remain in school and whether parents can sustain their education over time.
According to the parents, families unable to meet private-school charges may transfer their children to other institutions, including public schools, while some children could face temporary interruptions in their education.
They therefore appealed to the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas to consider the concerns as part of its wider education policies and reforms.
Call for Balance Between Affordability and School Sustainability
The parents acknowledged that private schools also face operating costs and need sufficient revenue to maintain their facilities, employ staff and provide educational services.
However, they said government intervention should seek a balance between the financial sustainability of private institutions and the ability of families to afford schooling.
They maintained that private schools have a legitimate right to operate as businesses but should also take account of the economic circumstances of the communities they serve.
With the new academic session underway, parents are now looking to the state government and education authorities for measures that could bring greater transparency and predictability to private-school charges.
For many families, the immediate concern is knowing the full cost of keeping their children in school and whether they can continue meeting those expenses throughout the academic year.
Taraba Parents Raise Alarm Over Rising Private School Fees as New Session Begins
