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Minister, perm sec differ on increase of tuition in Unity Schools

By Kanayo Umeh, Abuja
10 August 2016   |   4:02 am
The Minister’s denial came as the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Folashade Yemi-Esan, confirmed that the fee was increased due to the economic realities in Nigeria.
Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu

Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, yesterday, denied any knowledge of sudden increment in the tuition fee of all 104 Unity Schools across the country by the Federal Government.

A circular sent to parents who have children in the Federal Government-owned schools on June 1, stated that fee has been increased from N20,000 to N75,000.

The Minister’s denial came as the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Folashade Yemi-Esan, confirmed that the fee was increased due to the economic realities in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the launch and dissemination of National Education Quality Assurance Handbook, yesterday, in Abuja, Adamu also denied any role in the controversial increase.

He said: “I am not aware that Unity Schools’ tuition fees have been increased. I am the Minister of Education and I am not aware that the fees have been increased. But I will try to find out.”

Asked if there was a disagreement between him and the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, Adamu said there was none.

Answering questions on why the Minister of State was usually absent from events that had to do with education parastatals under his supervision, he said: “Go and ask him. He sent somebody and I know that the last person I saw in the office before coming was Prof. Anwukah. As far as I am concerned, everybody is carried along in the Ministry of Education.”

The permanent secretary noted that the increment was not up to 300 per cent as reported in the media.

“You must be aware of the realities on ground. It is important for the Federal Government Colleges to be able to maintain the students that are there and you must also be aware that these schools are tuition free. What has been increased is the boarding fee.

“The increase was not 300 per cent. Yes, the school fees of the Federal Government Unity Schools have been increased, but not up to 300 per cent.”

The permanent secretary, however, declined to say the amount fixed.

“People are taking these things out of context; the boarding fee is just one item. The school fees are also made up of a long list of different items. They have to pay for examinations, which is inclusive. If you compare what the boarding was and what it is now, definitely, the increment is not even up to 30 per cent.”

The National Parents and Teachers Association of the Federal Government Colleges recently protested against the increase in the school fees of Unity Schools by the Federal Government, describing it as “commercialisation of education.”

The organisation warned that the new fees, if not reversed, would force parents to withdraw their children from the schools.

The association in a communiqué read to journalists by its National President, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, said the increment from N20,000 to N75,000 was untimely and insensitive.

2 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Very funny minister: “I am not aware….. But I will try to find out”

  • Author’s gravatar

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