High Transport Costs Force Students to Trek, Parents Seek Alternatives as Schools Reopen Nationwide

The recent hike in fuel prices has caused transportation costs to soar, leaving many students across Nigeria trekking long distances to school, while others remain at home as parents grapple with the dual burden of increased school fees and daily living expenses.

As schools resumed on Monday for a new academic session, reports from various states highlight the financial strain on families due to the rising cost of transportation, leading some parents to withdraw their children from distant schools and enroll them in closer ones. The situation has left some state governments reconsidering their school transportation policies, with others postponing resumption altogether.

Trekking Becomes a Common Sight

In Lagos, students returning from their long holiday break were seen trekking to school as a result of higher transportation fares. This scene is replicated across cities like Birnin Kebbi, Sokoto, and Jalingo, where parents and students alike face the tough decision of whether to bear the cost of inflated fuel prices or resort to walking.

In Kebbi State, Madam Grace Dauda, a mother of three, explained that trekking has become necessary as transport fares have become unaffordable. “We used to spend N1,200 on transportation, but now even N3,000 isn’t enough. I can only afford to walk with them halfway before finding alternative transport,” she said.

School Bus Services Suspended, Fares Increased

With many schools suspending their bus services or drastically increasing transport fees, parents are left scrambling for solutions. In Niger State, Mohammed Hassan Sonmaji from Minna shared his frustration after his children’s school raised transportation fees from N20,000 to N60,000 per term. He plans to transfer his children to a nearby school.

Private school proprietors, like Bulus Dauda in Jalingo, Taraba State, have expressed the need to increase both tuition and bus fees due to the inflationary pressures caused by rising petroleum prices. Meanwhile, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), parents are feeling the squeeze as school fees and related costs continue to rise, despite stagnant wages.

Borno Parents Call for Metro Bus Services for Students

In Borno State, where the government has introduced metro buses and electric taxis, parents are calling for special provisions to accommodate schoolchildren. Many parents, including Aisha Abubakar, have been stranded at bus stops as rising transport fares have made other alternatives unaffordable. “I had to pay N300 per child because we missed the N50 metro buses,” she lamented, urging the government to prioritize schoolchildren during peak school hours.

Schools Explore Solutions Amid Financial Pressure

In response to these challenges, some parents in Adamawa State have taken to carpooling, with families alternating school runs to cut costs. Private schools across the country, facing operational cost increases, are also considering temporary solutions, such as fee adjustments and suspending transportation services.

Yemi Otubela, president of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), acknowledged the financial strain on both parents and schools, but assured that efforts are being made to minimize the impact on families. “We are exploring ways to reduce the burden on parents while ensuring our teachers are adequately compensated,” Otubela said.

Government Intervention Urged

With the rising cost of living making it difficult for many parents to send their children to school, education stakeholders are calling on the federal government to provide financial relief. Alhaji Usman Abubakar, Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) in the FCT, has urged the government to intervene by offering grants or subsidies to the education sector to ease the burden on families.

In Ondo State, where the government provides free shuttle services for public school students, the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Laolu Akindolire, confirmed that a review of the program is underway to ensure its sustainability amid the current economic climate.