As the 2024/2025 academic session begins across Nigeria, the recent fuel price hike is causing significant distress among school owners, parents, teachers, and students. On Tuesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd) raised the petrol price from N580 to N855 per litre, with the product being sold between N900 and N1,200 in many areas. The sharp increase in fuel prices has disrupted school operations and intensified the financial burdens on all involved.
### Private Schools Struggling to Cope
Private school owners, already grappling with economic challenges, are now faced with the dilemma of absorbing additional costs without raising fees, as many had already issued tuition bills for the new session. The rising operational expenses, coupled with the inability to increase fees last minute, are putting school owners in a tight spot.
One school owner revealed plans to scale down transportation services, citing the high cost of fuel and maintenance. Others are turning to hostel accommodations as a way to manage the situation. The added financial pressure on schools is forcing many to consider ending bus services altogether, as they are becoming too expensive to maintain.
### Teachers Turn to Part-Time Work
As many private schools struggle to pay teachers a living wage, a growing number of educators, particularly in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, are opting for part-time positions across multiple schools. This trend is depriving many schools of competent full-time staff. Gabriel, a part-time teacher, explained how the flexible arrangement allows him to earn more while avoiding being tied to a single institution.
In public schools, the situation is equally challenging. Teachers, who are not eligible for flexible working arrangements like some other civil servants, continue to face high commuting costs. Many teachers, particularly in Lagos, commute long distances, and with the rising cost of transportation, they are bearing a heavier financial burden. The reduction in state-provided transportation options, such as the “Teacher Buses,” has exacerbated the issue.
### Impact on Parents and Students
The rising fuel prices have hit parents hard, with many struggling to afford transportation for their children. A growing number of parents are looking for schools closer to home to reduce commuting costs. Some are even contemplating pulling their children out of school altogether due to the financial strain.
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), warned that the economic situation could worsen the country’s already critical out-of-school children (OSC) crisis. Many parents, stretched beyond their limits, are unable to cope with the increased cost of living, making it difficult to prioritize their children’s education.
### Calls for Government Action
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for the introduction of a “Hardship Allowance” to help teachers cope with the rising cost of living. Dr. Mike Ene, Secretary General of NUT, emphasized the need for palliatives to assist teachers, who are not benefiting from the flexible working arrangements provided to other government workers. He also highlighted the inadequate implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage in some states, which has left many teachers struggling even before the fuel hike.
NAPTAN’s President, Danjuma, also urged the government to introduce palliative measures, such as providing buses to transport students and paying allowances to parents to ease their financial burden.
As the academic year begins, stakeholders are looking to the government for relief measures to mitigate the harsh impact of the fuel price hike on education. Without intervention, the economic strain threatens to undermine the quality of education and increase dropout rates, especially among the most vulnerable students.
