As schools across Nigeria prepare to resume for the 2024/2025 academic session, the recent sharp increase in petrol prices has exacerbated the financial strain on school owners, parents, teachers, and students. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd) raised the petrol price from N580 to N855 per litre last week, with prices now reaching between N900 and N1,200 per litre in many areas. This surge has created widespread concern about its impact on the education sector.
Private school owners are grappling with the unexpected cost increase. Many had already set fees for the new session, and adding further costs may face resistance from parents. The price hike has also led to confusion and financial strain for these institutions, many of which are struggling to maintain operation.
In response to the economic pressures, many private school teachers are opting for part-time positions, particularly in core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Sciences. This trend is leaving some schools without qualified teachers for crucial subjects, while public schools continue to face staffing shortages.
Gabriel, a part-time Mathematics teacher, explained that the low pay in private schools often leads educators to seek additional opportunities. “Most private schools are not paying much,” he said. “I teach part-time to earn more and have flexibility, but it also means many schools lack full-time teachers in critical subjects.”
Public school teachers are also struggling. The Lagos State government’s new work-from-home policy does not extend to teachers, who must continue commuting daily. The scarcity of functioning teacher buses exacerbates the problem, making the daily commute increasingly costly and difficult.
Many school owners are scaling back or eliminating their bus services due to rising fuel and maintenance costs. Mrs. Gladys Grimes, who owns schools in Lagos, had discontinued her bus service four years ago, a decision that now seems prescient. Other school owners are following suit, focusing on expanding hostel facilities instead.
Parents like Awelewa Sunday are trying to mitigate costs by enrolling their children in nearby schools. Rising transport costs make it economically unfeasible to send children to distant schools. “Transport fares are killing,” Sunday said, highlighting the difficulty of managing the cost of sending children to school.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) is advocating for a Hardship Allowance to help teachers cope with the increased cost of living and transport. Dr. Mike Ene of the NUT suggested that such measures could provide some relief in the face of rising fuel prices and stagnant wages.
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, National President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), fears that the economic strain could lead to higher dropout rates. “Parents are struggling to afford basic needs, let alone school expenses,” he said. Danjuma called for government intervention to provide transport support and financial aid to alleviate the burden on families.
As the academic year begins, the challenges posed by the fuel price hike underscore the urgent need for government action to support the education sector and ease the financial pressures on families.
