The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has expressed grave concern over the increasing number of private schools shutting down due to the prevailing economic situation in the country.
The association has urgently called for government intervention to halt this alarming trend.
During an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, the National General Secretary of NAPPS, Kayode Adeyemi, lamented the significant decline in student enrollment and the struggles many school proprietors face in keeping their institutions operational.
“The business environment has been far from palatable. We are witnessing numerous school closures as enrollment rates plummet, and the capacity to sustain operations is no longer viable,” Adeyemi disclosed. He went on to highlight the extent of the crisis, adding, “It has reached a point where private school owners are turning to transportation businesses after closing down their schools.”
The challenges, according to Mr. Adeyemi, are not limited to low-tier schools but extend to most high-end private institutions as well.
He explained that parents, overwhelmed by financial constraints, are now opting for public or medium-scale schools to cut down on expenses, particularly transportation costs.
Furthermore, Mr. Adeyemi revealed that many private school owners have resorted to pleading with parents to settle outstanding school fees, some dating as far back as 2023.
He said, “Parents are withdrawing their children from private schools in droves due to their inability to pay fees, and this is exacerbating the situation.”
The issue of heavy taxation imposed on private school owners by the government was another concern raised by Mr. Adeyemi. “These multiple taxes are crippling the sector,” he remarked, calling for relief to help school owners stay afloat.
He also painted a bleak picture of the current situation for teachers, many of whom now juggle multiple jobs such as private tutoring, selling second-hand goods, or even becoming commercial motorcycle riders to make ends meet.
With public schools already strained and lacking the capacity to cater to the rising number of students, Mr. Adeyemi urged the government to step in and support private institutions, which he believes play a critical role in Nigeria’s education system.
A visit to some public schools in Ibadan corroborated Mr. Adeyemi’s account, as there was a noticeable surge in student enrollment.
A teacher in one of the public schools, speaking anonymously, told reporters, “We have seen an influx of students, from JSS one to SS three, coming from private schools. Their parents simply can’t afford private education anymore because of the economic situation. We understand their plight.”
Parents are also feeling the pressure. One parent, Odunayo Majekodunmi, shared her experience, stating, “There’s no way we can keep our children in private schools any longer. Many of us have had to withdraw them and enroll them in public schools, looking for those that are reasonably okay.”
