Parents of students at NOWA School, Karshi in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), yesterday, clashed with the school authorities over alleged non-adherence to a court order stopping arbitrary increment in fees.

There had been face-off between the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the school administration over increment in school fees. The PTA had gone to court over the increment, but a second increment of N50,000 came two days to the school’s resumption via text messages, which the parents resisted, insisting that the court order stopping arbitrary increase in fees must be respected.

Students and parents were restrained from accessing the school compound on resumption from mid-term break for failure to pay the new fees.

Reacting to the development, Vice Chairman of the PTA, Abimbola Gbijah, described the situation as lawlessness, adding that the PTA saw no reason the school could not be patient and allow the matter to be determined in court.

He said: “We have taken this case to court. They have been served letters. We were even supposed to meet in court this Thursday. Unfortunately, they still remain adamant. You can see what happened, pushing the children out, keeping the students in the sun, even trying to hurt the parents.”

According to Gbijah, it is unfortunate that the school administration is gradually destroying the goodwill built by previous administrations over 18 years, as many parents are having a rethink.

Another parent identified as Mrs. Mohammed said she was not against increments, but was unhappy with the manner of approach towards the parents and students.

She said: “They should not speak to parents as if they are speaking to their children. Even while speaking to children, there is respect between a mother and her child, let alone the school and parents or teachers.”

Mrs. Mohammed noted that her children were shut out because of N10,000 end-of-term activities fee, which she had to pay before they gained entrance.

Meanwhile, a representative of the school, who does not want his name in print, said he was only acting according to instructions from the owners of the school and was not in a position to dialogue or let students in except they pay.