By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
Education is widely regarded as the foundation of individual development and societal progress. For many Nigerian parents, however, providing their children with quality education is becoming an increasingly difficult responsibility as the cost of living continues to rise.
In Kogi State, concerns are mounting among some parents over the cost of educating their children in GYB Model Secondary Schools, with particular reference to the fees and registration arrangements reportedly imposed on students.
The concerns raise important questions about access to affordable education, the welfare of ordinary families and the extent to which government policies are easing the burden on parents struggling to make ends meet.
The burden on parents
Some parents have expressed concern over what they describe as the high cost of educating their children in the GYB Model Secondary Schools.
According to the complaints, parents are being asked to pay about N4,000 in school fees, in addition to N1,900 for lesson fees. For families with more than one child in school, these payments can constitute a significant financial burden, particularly at a time when the prices of food, transportation, accommodation and other essential commodities remain high.
Beyond the immediate financial demands, some parents are also questioning the reported arrangement under which students who complete Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 to JSS 3 are required to register afresh as new students.
The arrangement, as described by the concerned parents, has generated questions about its rationale, the financial implications for families and whether adequate consideration has been given to students who have already spent three years in the school system.
The relevant education authorities need to clarify the policy, explain the circumstances surrounding the fresh registration requirement and provide information about any applicable charges.
While schools require funds to maintain infrastructure, provide teaching materials and support effective learning, such financial demands should be transparent, reasonable and consistent with the government’s educational objectives.
What are the masses benefiting?
This is the fundamental question many ordinary citizens are asking: what tangible benefits are the masses receiving from government policies at a time when the cost of living continues to rise?
Government has a responsibility not only to provide infrastructure and announce development programmes but also to ensure that public policies improve the daily lives of citizens.
For parents who struggle to provide three meals a day, pay rent and meet transportation costs, an additional increase in educational expenses can create a difficult choice between competing family needs.
Education should not become a privilege reserved for families with substantial financial resources. Rather, it should remain an accessible pathway through which children from different economic backgrounds can acquire knowledge, develop their abilities and contribute meaningfully to society.
The concern is particularly important in a country where education is frequently presented as a major instrument for reducing poverty, promoting social mobility and preparing young people for employment.
When the cost of education becomes increasingly difficult to meet, the children of low-income families risk being placed at a disadvantage.
The university dimension
The reported increase in fees at the late Prince Abubakar Audu University’s institution, now known as Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, also deserves attention as part of the wider discussion about the affordability of education in Kogi State.
Parents and guardians whose children attend tertiary institutions are equally confronted with financial pressures. Beyond tuition and other institutional charges, families must contend with accommodation, feeding, transportation, books and other academic expenses.
Any increase in university fees should therefore be accompanied by clear communication explaining the reasons for the adjustment, the services it is intended to support and the measures available to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
University authorities and the state government should also consider whether scholarship schemes, bursaries, flexible payment arrangements and other forms of assistance can help students remain in school despite their families’ economic difficulties.
This is not an argument that educational institutions should operate without adequate funding. Rather, it is a call for a balanced approach that recognises both the financial needs of institutions and the economic realities confronting the people they serve.
A call for government intervention
The concerns raised by parents over the GYB Model Secondary Schools deserve the attention of the Kogi State Government and the relevant education authorities.
The government should review the reported school charges, clarify the fresh registration policy for students progressing beyond JSS 3 and determine whether the financial demands are consistent with existing guidelines.
Where the charges are justified, the authorities should explain their purpose and ensure that parents receive adequate information before payments are demanded.
Where the financial burden is excessive or unnecessary, appropriate adjustments should be considered in the interest of students and their families.
The government should also examine the broader issue of rising educational costs, including the reported increase in university fees, and explore practical ways of supporting families who cannot easily afford the expenses.
Such measures could include targeted bursaries, scholarships for indigent students, improved access to educational support programmes and transparent communication about school charges.
Importantly, the authorities should engage parents, school administrators and other stakeholders before implementing policies that could impose additional financial obligations on families.
Beyond school fees
The debate over educational costs cannot be separated from the wider economic challenges confronting Nigerian households.
As the cost of living rises, even families with regular incomes are finding it difficult to meet their basic needs. Those in the informal sector and households dependent on irregular earnings are often more vulnerable.
In such circumstances, government policies should be assessed not only by the amount of money collected or the number of projects announced but also by their practical impact on ordinary citizens.
Affordable education, accessible healthcare, reliable infrastructure and opportunities for young people are among the benefits through which citizens can assess the performance of government.
For Kogi State, ensuring that children from low-income families can access quality education should remain a priority.
The future of the state depends significantly on the quality of education available to its young people. If financial barriers prevent children from completing their education, the consequences could extend beyond individual families to affect the state’s human capital and long-term development.
The way forward
The concerns expressed by parents should not be dismissed as mere complaints about paying school fees. They provide an opportunity for the government to examine whether the cost of education is consistent with its commitment to improving the welfare of citizens.
The Kogi State Government should urgently investigate the issues raised, establish the facts surrounding the reported charges and fresh registration requirements, and communicate its findings to the public.
It should also encourage school administrators to adopt transparent fee structures and ensure that any necessary increases are accompanied by adequate justification and consideration for vulnerable families.
At the tertiary level, the government and university authorities should explore measures that can reduce the risk of students abandoning their studies because of financial difficulties.
Ultimately, the objective should be to strike a fair balance between the need to fund educational institutions and the responsibility to make education accessible.
The question is simple: if education is a pathway out of poverty, what happens when the cost of acquiring it becomes another burden on the poor?
That is a question the Kogi State Government and its education authorities must answer, not only through official statements but through policies that parents and students can feel in their everyday lives.
– Musa Tanimu Nasidi writes from Lokoja.
