Private school owners in Abuja are pushing back against a potential surge in fees, triggered by the decision of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to increase operation charges for these schools.
Starting from January 2024, each school will be charged based on the tuition fees paid by students and the number of enrolments, according to a memo from the Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed.
Titled “Review of Private School Operation Charges in FCT,” the memo states, “The old rate of charges cease to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024.
“Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.”
Expressing concern over the tax review, the National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT wrote a letter to the Education Secretariat.
Chairperson Ruqayah Agboola emphasized that this move contradicts the government’s promise to eliminate multiple taxes and could make education unaffordable for many parents, contributing to an increase in the number of out-of-school children.
Quest Times also learned that NAPPS, in the letter, urged a 50% reduction in existing annual dues to help schools recover outstanding payments.
Members cited economic challenges, outstanding bank loans, unpaid fees, various levies, and the responsibility to cover teachers’ salaries, staff payments, and infrastructure maintenance.
A member of the association, speaking anonymously, disclosed plans to write to Minister Nyesom Wike and notify the Parents-Teachers Association about the newly imposed tax.