Bobboi Kaigama, the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, has described the over 300 per cent increase in schools fees of students in Federal Government Colleges as “outrageous”.
Kaigama told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Tuesday that the ASCSN was shocked on the new increase, saying that it would not be a party to such decision.
NAN recalls that the Federal Government had announced an increase in school fees for students in government colleges (Unity Schools) from N20,000 to N75,000 from June 1, 2016.
The association’s president said the schools should allow the less-privileged citizens to benefit from the country’s education system.
Kaigama said: “It is shocking to hear that government schools that are supposed to be a practical demonstration of government’s care for the people are raising fees by over 300 per cent.
“If the fees can be raised from N20,000 to N75,000, we do not want to preempt what our action will be.
“We must state that the increase is outrageous and we will not be part of it.
“We do not want to preempt what we will do but we will start by making enquiry.”
Kaigama said in spite of challenges the government is facing, the prevailing situation in the economic situation should be taken into consideration before such increase was made.
The union leader said there should have been a dialogue among the Parents Teachers Association, the Ministry of Education and the school authorities before reaching an agreement on the increase.
He said it was wrong to increase school fees when the government was making plans to offer free feeding programme to students.
Kaigama said: “Are you collecting money from the parents when the government has budgeted to feed the students?
“If the government has budgeted for the programme, then why the increase?”
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