– Nigeria’s current economic downturn has taken a toll on the country’s institutions of learning
– Many parents and guardians have been forced to withdraw their wards from private secondary schools
– Hitherto filled classrooms have become sparse
A report by Sahara Reporters suggests that the economic recession in Nigeria have forced many parents and guardians to withdraw their wards from private secondary schools.
This new development was noticed as private institutions resumed for the new academic session nationwide.
Nigeria’s minister of education, Adamu Adamu
The report stated that hitherto filled classrooms have become considerably sparse, as parents and guardians had decided to move their children to more public schools which are generally affordable.
Private schools in Nigeria charge exorbitant prices, but the economic hardship witnessed across the country have made the fees to get out of the reach of the common man.
The report quoted various private schools management in Abuja complaining of significant reductions in their student body.
A school proprietor who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the development as worrisome, even as he advised the federal government to design an aid package to enable Nigerians improve their living standards.
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According to him, the withdrawal of students from private schools was a dangerous signal capable of spelling doom for the future of the country.
His: “It is pathetic that things have degenerated to this level where parents are forced to compromise the future of their children due to hardship.
“There is no alternative to education. Education should be seen not as a luxury but a necessity.”
A parent who was interviewed also said her decision to withdraw two of her children from a private school was due to non-payment of her salary where she works.
“The irregularity of my salary has drastically reduced my purchasing power,” she lamented.
Meanwhile, a recent media report revealed that hungry youths in Niger state now go about snatching food packs from nursery and primary school children on their way to school.
In a related development, the recession appears to have further stimulated more suicide cases across the nation according to another media report.
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In the last six months, seven out of the 36 states of the federation sampled, have recorded over 62 cases of suicides according to statistics from the various police commands.
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