- Enugu-based school proprietor Gladys Ajaero has defended the recent hike in tuition, saying it is driven by Nigeria’s harsh economy, not exploitation.
- Speaking on Arise TV, she explained that high costs of books, salaries, electricity, and other essentials have forced private schools to raise fees.
- Ajaero stressed that the increases are necessary to keep schools running, even as parents complain the charges are becoming unbearable.
Enugu-based school owner Gladys Ajaero has justified the recent hike in tuition, attributing it to the harsh economy rather than exploitation.
She explained on Arise TV that soaring costs of books, teaching aids, fuel, electricity, and food have left schools with no choice but to adjust fees to stay afloat.
She said:
“Private schools is a business venture. Everything you are doing to make money, definitely is a business. In business, you have standard. You may choose to put your child in a school where you can pay as much as ₦1 million, as much as ₦200,000, but you can still get a standard of ₦50,000 which is still a standard. If you cannot afford that much, why going for it?
“The increase in school fees is caused by the economy of the country. You have so many bills also to pay as a proprietor. You will pay your teachers, you will take care of the environment, you will take care of non-academic staff, cleaners and others.
“Now when you talk of the books, we do not manufacture the books nor do we produce it. We buy and give to students, and a lot of times you find out that the books are so expensive that even if you decide to just add ₦100,000 on it, it is still very high.
“I do not think the increment is a fault of the proprietors or a decision to extort parents, but the economy actually affecting the whole system. For example, as at last year, if you pay a private teacher ₦60,000 or ₦70,000, he or she is happy and it can buy things. But today, the same person will not accept ₦100,000 because of the cost of living.”
Her comments come amid widespread complaints from parents who say the increases are unbearable, especially at a time when many households are struggling to survive.
Leave a Reply