An unexpected hike in fees for Abuja-based private schools is imminent following the decision of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to increase operation charges of private schools in the capital city, an unexpected hike in fees for Abuja-based private schools is forthcoming for parents.
As per the dictations of the new tax regime, private schools will be levied according to the tuition paid by students and the number of enrolments they have.
According to a memo by the Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed, the development would take effect from January 2024.
In a reaction to this announcement, the National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT, had in a letter written to the Education Secretariat, highlighted that such a levy review at a time when the Federal Government had promised to abolish multiple taxes would only hike the cost of education beyond the reach of majority of the parents, thus adding to the population of out-of-school children.
The letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, NAPPS added that the tax review would further put pressure on private schools in the FCT as it would hike their running costs.
The association said, “Unfortunately, our members reject the proposal in its entirety. They [the members] cited the hard economy, the huge bank loans, the unpaid fees by many defaulting parents, the several levies payable to local government and other agencies, and more importantly, the payment of their teachers’ salaries, other staff as well as maintenance of our infrastructure.
“Our members, therefore, pray that you use your good office to effect a 50% decrease in the existing annual dues to enable your office to recover the outstanding dues. We will partner with you to achieve this.” The statement concluded.
