As Nigeria grapples with an unprecedented rise in fuel prices, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have sounded the alarm over a potential surge in school dropouts. The escalating cost of bus fares across the country is placing enormous strain on parents, students, and teachers alike, raising fears that many children may soon be forced to abandon their education.
Primary and secondary schools in Lagos State were among the first to resume for the 2024/2025 session, after concluding the previous academic year in July. But the sharp spike in fuel prices, which has seen a litre soar from N750 in July to between N900 and N1,200 today, has caused transport costs to skyrocket, leaving parents struggling to afford the journey to school for their children.
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, National Chairman of the PTA, warned that the rising costs could push more students out of the education system. “If parents become hesitant to send their children to school, we will face even greater challenges,” he cautioned. “Children who live far from their schools will find it difficult to attend due to transportation costs, leading to more walking long distances or, worse, many dropping out altogether.”
Danjuma called on the government to urgently intervene, proposing free transportation services in some areas to alleviate the burden on parents. “We appeal to the government to address the issue of poverty and consider providing free transport for schoolchildren in designated areas,” he urged.
Meanwhile, the NUT echoed similar concerns, with Secretary-General Dr. Mike Ike-Ene highlighting the impact on teachers, many of whom are already grappling with inadequate pay. “Teachers are expected to be physically present every day, but with rising transport costs and stagnant salaries, it’s becoming impossible,” he said, decrying the lack of support for educators. “What kind of education system are we running when even the minimum wage hasn’t been implemented for primary school teachers?”
Parents across Lagos State have voiced their frustration over the skyrocketing cost of school transport. Mrs. Nneka Aderounmu, a mother from Ikeja, described the strain she faces, revealing that the cost of her children’s school bus had doubled from N30,000 to N60,000 per child. “I don’t know how I’ll manage,” she lamented. “We still have to pay for school fees, feeding, and books. The government must reduce the cost of fuel, or families will be crushed.”
As the crisis deepens, education stakeholders, including the Chairman of Kings College’s School-based Management Committee, Jani Ibrahim, have urged the government to take immediate steps to improve public transportation systems, noting that “a robust transport network could provide much-needed relief for struggling families.” He pointed to the example of mass transit systems in cities like London, adding, “Unless we develop something similar, the government must step in to regulate and ensure fair access for all.”
