Schools turn students away over fees

As students resume for the second term of the 2016/2017 session, some parents have expressed dissatisfaction with the new policy of some schools where students are told to present evidence of payment of fees before they are allowed to take lessons.

Some schools were said to have given letters to parents asking them to pay their children’s fees before they would be allowed into the school compound.

Mrs. Bose Olugbenga, an Abuja resident, said paying school fees every January has not been easy especially when the school has to ask for the payment before children can be allowed into the school.

“This morning (Monday) before you could take your children in, you have to present the teller and failure to do so your child will not be allowed to go into the school premises,”she said.

She said though the fee was less than what was paid in the first term, it was not easy because the festive period had taken its own cut and “one is looking forward to settling the rent and feedings as well.”

“It is so painful that schools have to develop such policy going by the economic situation in the country at the moment,” she said. Another parent, who does not want his name mentioned, said he is already having a heart ache thinking of how to raise the fees of the children.

“I have three kids whose fees for this term is N169,000 and my salary is not up to that, so I had to apply for loan in the office but I’m yet to receive it,” he said.

He said he had an agreement with the school to pay the fees as soon as possible before his kids were allowed into the school premises.

A school proprietor, Michael Ojonugwa, said both parents and the schools are facing challenges, adding that schools have to update their books and facilities and pay salaries; as such it becomes mandatory for parents to pay fees.

“However, we are not imposing any new policy on paying before resumption but we make sure all parents clear the fees of their kids before the commencement of examination every term and we do not permit extension of fees unless on special cases,” he said.

Meanwhile, most students in public schools had resumed for classes after the holidays. At Government Junior Secondary School Alaiyita, the headmistress, Mrs. Sherifat Olujumoke Bello, disclosed that the attendance was impressive.