Category: Education

This is not the best of times for private school owners because of high operational costs due to fuel subsidy removal. VICTORIA AMADI reports the concerns of stakeholders and school owners over the effects of the removal on the educational sector.

HEN President Bola   Tinubu, on May 29, during his inauguration, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, many citizens greeted the action with commendations, but others weighed the effects of the removal on the masses.

  After the removal,  the pump prices of petroleum products skyrocketed, with some filling stations selling petrol for btween N500 and N700, depending on which side of the country one resides in.

However, the sector is not left out of the subsidy removal’s negative effects, with private school owners, especially, claiming they had started making adjustments in their operational costs.

High possibility of tuition hike, says NAPPS

The subsidy removal, school operators said, have altered the educational landscape, particularly, tuition, boarding, transportation fees, prices of school materials and the management of schools.

National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) National President Mr. Yomi Otubela said the removal of fuel subsidy would spike an increase in tuition.

Otubela added that the removal had pushed up the cost of running schools. He noted that its effects did not only affect private schools, but cut across the sector.

“The government policies have a profound impact on various aspects of our lives, and education is no exception. Private schools, in particular, play a crucial role in providing quality education and complementing the efforts of the government.

“The removal of fuel subsidy has had its ripple-effect on private school administration. Transportation costs and cost of goods and services have increased, forcing schools to reassess their budget allocation. This, in turn, has led to potential increase in tuition fees, placing an additional burden on parents, who are grappling with economic challenges.”

 Halt in provision of quality education

NAPPS boss argued that part of the repercussions of fuel subsidy removal on education was in the standard of education being provided by affected school.

He noted that most schools were driven by technology, and the high cost of fuel could affect the standard of services offered by some schools as they might find it hard to keep up with expenses.

“More schools are driven by technology that requires power.The running of these services has been affected. The ability to deliver quality education now is being halted,” he said.

Increase in cost of school bus services

During a visit by The Nation to some primary and secondary schools, it was observed that while schools that offer transportation services to their pupils have increased their fares, others are awaiting next term.

Otubela noted that “fuel subsidy removal has an undeniable repercussion on private school administration because fuel is an essential commodity that affects transportation cost and energy expenses as we know that the national grid does not provide sufficient energy to run our schools. Owners of private schools rely heavily on transportation service for students and they use fuel to run it.

“It, therefore, means that the cost of transportation for students enrolling for school bus services would increase. Teaching and non-teaching staff members are also going to be affected. A lot of teachers have reported increases in the cost of transportation to and from school of between 50 and 70 per cent against what they used to pay. The school has to find a way to mitigate this increase for teaching and non-teaching staff.

“The subsidy will definitely affect school bus services. Parents would react to the increase and when they react, it’s either parents sacrifice their time to bring the children to school and pay their 50 per cent fee to return them home. School bus services are not compulsory for pupils.”

Proprietors narrate their challenges

Some schools owners narrated the challenges they are facing since the subsidy removal.

Proprietor of ‘D’ Peak Apt Schools in Iroko, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Mr. Olanrewaju Adesoji, noted that the demand for increase in salary by teaching and non-teaching staff members would affect school fees.

Adesoji said: “School fees will definitely be increased as teaching and non-teaching staff salaries would have to be increased. Their cost of transportation has tripled. The school itself relies on generator most times to generate power supply to pump water for the learners.

“Before, we used to spend between N2,500 and N3,000 to buy fuel. But now, we spend between N6,000 and N7,000 in a week. Our suppliers too have increased the price of materials supplied. As a result, the school has no option but to increase tuition fee. Until we have alternative source of power generation outside the use of fuel, this problem will persist.

“We don’t run buses in our school. However, schools that do have two options: Firstly, they stop the running of the service. Secondly, they  increase their charges for the service. If the second option is embraced, it may result in some parents withdrawing their children from enjoying the service and go with alternative ways of transporting their children.”

He, however, highlighted the need to explore other means of generating power supply like wind, sun and water.

A teacher at GNA Schools, Ayobo, Lagos, who craved anonymity, said: “Many schools are going to increase their service charges. Parents are already being made to pay 20 per cent extra or more. But some parents are not okay with it. We don’t use a generator in my school. We use solar.”

LEAMSP: expect many readjustments in school system

The National President, League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP), Alhaji Abdulwahid Obalakun, said: “The effect of the subsidy removal has affected every aspect of school administration. Are we talking about school transportation? Those who are running school transportation are feeling it. Teachers who transport themselves to school and parents who transport their wards to school are also feeling it.Those who are running boarding school are also feeling it because of hike in foodstuffs. Almost every aspect of our operation is affected by subsidy removal.

“Schools where most of their pupils live far from the school location are really feeling the heat. The reality is that some of these pupils are affected and may not resume in school next session because of transportation cost. Their parents may opt them out from such school and probably consider a school that is very close.”

AFED frowns at development

The Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), an umbrella body for low-cost private schools serving low-income households in most shanty communities in Nigeria, through its President, Emmanuel Kanu Orji, frowned at the development, while stating that it has more disadvantages than advantages.

His words, “It’s indeed sad, we have been on this type of circumferential decision in Nigeria. We were told that after the removal of subsidy on diesel, we would have investors streaming in but, you are aware that that commodity is now about N1000 without such investment in sight.

“Nigeria is a monolithic economy majoring on oil. Any decision on the pricing of oil, especially the premium motor spirit, has its multiplying effect on other commodities in the nation and the school system cannot be isolated.”

 Parents lament

Parents are also not left out. Some of them, who got wind of the matter, lamented majorly the increase in tuition and school bus fees.

A parent, Mrs. Monsuroh Abdul, who resides in Ogba, Lagos State, said fuel subsidy removal has affected school bus fare. “We have been told to pay N10,000 extra.  We paid N55,000 for the term and now have to pay N10,000 extra. The transportation is based on distance. And it’s similar across schools in our area.”

Another parent, residing in Isolo, Lagos State, Mr. Emmanuel Eze, said transporting his kids to school every morning since inception of fuel subsidy removal, has had a dwindling effect on his salary.

Eze said: “The price of fuel and foodstuffs are on the high side. Yet, our salary remains the same. Since this fuel subsidy removal era, my salary has been affected. I am left with nothing to feed the family with.”

Another parent, Mr. Tunde Adebayo, said:  “I have calculated what my child is going to take to school and I ended up saying I’m not sure if my child will continue there, except I will find somewhere close to the school where the child would stay because of the love I have for the school.”

Solution

Otubela urged the government to look into areas they can assist schools to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal in educational sector. He requested the government to provide palliatives to schools and teachers.

“I call upon our government and leaders to recognise the critical role private schools play in our education ecosystem and to proactively engage with stakeholders to address the challenges they face.

“It is crucial to strike a balance between economic considerations and the long-term implications for education. We must invest in sustainable solutions that mitigate the effects of rising fuel costs and support the growth and development of private schools.”

Part of his appeal to the government include palliatives such as school buses on lease agreement models, sponsorship of state and private teachers training on termly basis, education grants for school teachers and administration, opening of education banks to grant loans to teachers, school owners and parents at single digits as well as approval of tax holiday for teachers and schools.

Obalakun appealed to the government for inclusion of private schools in its palliative package.

He said: “All we have been hearing from them is palliative for the public workers. They need to have a programme for the private as well. We equally pay tax just like the public workers. Whatever arrangement they have, they must include us as well. There should be special arrangement for private schools because we are too great to be neglected. Our contribution to Nigeria’s economy cannot be over emphasised.

“Federal, state and local governments should have robust plan for private schools. When they look at the number of pupils in schools today, nursery, primary and secondary, it has been established that more than two-third of these pupils are in private schools. If government is taking care of one-third, thereby neglecting the two-third, I don’t know how fair that will be.”

Vice President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) External Affairs, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez has urged the Governing Council of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) led by Prof. Akinbo Adesomoju to ensure peace on campus.

Akinteye admonished the council to desist from acts that could truncate the peace and development of the institution.

In a statement, he lauded the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa for repositioning the school,and as such the Governing Council should cooperate with him to consolidate on his progress.

“It is pertinent to set the record straight at this point that anyone with love of OAUSTECH at heart would not do anything or part of whatsoever process that would jeopardize her growth.

“For some of us who know you too well,our expectations are high as we’re always of the belief that having a former Acting Vice of Chancellor of the institution as the Chairman Governing Council would birth development that words cannot in anyway express but it seems the status quo is otherwise and it’s disheartening.

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.

Without mincing words, peace is one thing that has been evident on OAUSTECH campus and every growth enthusiast must work towards it.

“Sadly the OAUSTECH Governing Council wants otherwise which is suicidal to the growth and development of the institution

“The Vice Chancellor,Prof. Temi Ologunorisa has laid that solid foundation for OAUSTECH to thrive, develop and grow and it is expected that anyone with the love of the school at heart would follow suit.

Read Also: Students’ loan scheme: NANS seeks adequate funding of education sector

“He has done all in his capacity to put behind the institution’s inconsistent academic calendar, putting in place swift and time-to-time payment of staff in order to see to the smooth running of the institution without elongation of sessions and academic calendar and as such we expect a proactive governing council to follow suit,” he said.

Akinteye also hailed the employment of the school’s First Class graduates, adding that they should not be sacked without cogent reasons.

“The employment of OAUSTECH First Class graduates is one that we must applaud and their sacking is one that must be generally frowned at.

They’re our products and it’s not out of place to have them working in the school.

Any move against them is one that would be considered as anti-OAUSTECH growth and development policy hence we call on the institution’s governing council to desist from such (sacking of OAUSTECH First Class graduates and other staff, both teaching and non-teaching without convincing reasons).

The VC is a man who has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his major goal and aspiration is to see OAUSTECH succeed, hence we expect maximum cooperation from the governing council and not otherwise.

OAUSTECH must thrive, develop and grow,” he added.

Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has awarded a scholarship to Miss Nkechinyere Umeh of Anambra State, who came top in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). 

Soludo announced the award through Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, expressing excitement that efforts of his administration at repositioning the education sector was yielding the desired dividend.

Read Also: Soludo terminates 30-year communal dispute 

Umeh, who scored a cumulative mark of 360 in the 2023 UTME, was offered a scholarship to study any course of her choice at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. 

Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, has congratulated Aminat Yusuf for her excellent performance while in the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University (LASU) .

Obasa congratulated Yusuf at the institution’s 40th Anniversary and 26th Convocation Ceremony, on Thursday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, had on June 15 announced Yusuf to have emerged the best graduating student for the 2021/2022 academic session with 5.00 CGPA

Olatunji-Bello said her unparalleled dedication and unyielding pursuit of excellence earned her the coveted honour, accompanied by a N500,000 cash prize from the university management.

Obasa said he particularly congratulated Yusuf for emerging as the best graduating student with a record-breaking 5.00 CGPA.

“I particularly congratulate Aminat Yusuf, who broke record as the best-graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0, first in the 40 years history of the institution.

Read Also: Fashola, others bag LASU honorary doctorate degrees

“On behalf of the other lawmakers in the Lagos Assembly, we are proud of her for being the first undergraduate to accomplish such incredible academic performance in the last 40 years.

“I believe this institution will continue to create more stars like her,” he said.

Obasa also acknowledged the outstanding academic achievements of other university students who achieved first-class honours in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 sessions.

The speaker said the record was good news and would further encourage those in government to do more to put the institution in enviable pedestal.

Obasa said as he joined other graduands and celebrated with prominent Nigerians who were awarded honourary Doctorate, he also got the assurance that the institution would attain that position they all envisage for it.

NAN reports that among the honourary awardees are Mr Babatunde Fashola, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III,

Oba Sulaiman Adeshina Raji, Ashade I, and Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu are also on the list.

(NAN)

The KwaraLEARN programe is one year old. Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin, reports on how the programme is monitoring attendance and performance of pupils and teachers in classrooms, offering improved support and feedback.

Kwara State last year took bold steps to transform basic education through its pet project, Kwara Leading Education Achievement and Reform (KwaraLEARN).

At the launch of the project last year, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the “flagship education programme takes the baton from pre-existing transformation programmes in Lagos and Edo states, both of which are local solutions already delivering value. We have understudied and have now made it fit for our own system here in Kwara”.

He said further “in addition to getting our state off national blacklist, investing at least N16.5 billion over the past three years in rebuilding basic schools (inclusive of the UBEC counterpart funds), as well as injecting new 4,700 competent teachers in our classrooms, this week, we are rolling out our flagship education transformative programme.

 “This is in realisation that getting education right from the foundation will support our achievements in infrastructural development, agriculture, technology and social services, and open up new vistas of opportunities that will promote common good.

“This is a lifetime investment that empowers teachers and gives public school pupils the best shot at 21st century education with reverberating effects on learning outcomes and the future of the state. The KwaraLEARN programme affords our teachers the right digital tools to be at their best, while providing an electronic platform to make classrooms and schools transparent.The technology will monitor attendance and performance of pupils and teachers in all classrooms, offering continual support and feedback.”

One year after, and listing the strides so far taken by KwaraLearn, the state Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB), Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, said the transformative digital educational programme among primary school pupils had helped to increase pupils’ enrolment in the past one year.

Adaramaja, who spoke at the first yearly performance review of the programme, said KwaraLearn had also helped to track absentee teachers in primary schools since its beginning.

He said the only clog in the wheel of the programme was the general insecurity in the country, adding that the malaise had affected the smooth running of KwaraLearn in three local government areas of Baruten, Asa and Ekiti.

Owing to the issue, some primary  schools in these local government areas had been closed down. Enrolment of pupils in primary schools was 117,000 before the beginning of the programme. It has increased by 13 per cent.

Improvement in primary education

The programme, which was launched in April 2022, had made remarkable strides in improving primary education. It is currently implemented in 872 primary schools across 10 local government areas.

The programme has trained over 6,500 teachers and enrolled more than 120,000 pupils. These numbers highlight the extensive reach and impact of KwaraLEARN in enhancing educational opportunities for Kwara State’s children.

“Our supervisors have devoted over 25,000 hours to providing invaluable support to schools, assisting teachers and head-teachers in delivering quality instruction.

“Additionally, we have distributed 1.2 million textbooks and other learning materials to ensure that every student has access to essential resources,” Adadamaja said.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital, Kemi Adeosun, said the state government was resolute in expanding the education programme to the remaining six local government areas, adding that it envisioned the programme extending to the Junior Secondary School level in the near future.

“This expansion will ensure a seamless and continuous educational journey for our students, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Adeosun added.

Read Also: FG, World Bank applaud Kwara education reforms, investment

On his part, KwaraLEARN Managing Director Isaiah Owolabi said over 7,000 teachers and head-teachers had been equipped with devices and empowered with necessary tools to enhance teaching practices.

“The results from the 2022/2023 school year demonstrate the effectiveness of the KwaraLEARN programme. Pupils have shown significant improvements in fluency, with notable gains observed in both progressive and primary schools during the first term.

“The programme has also led to a significant decrease in the percentage of non-readers, particularly among lower and upper Primary students in Progressive schools.

“Moreover, there have been noticeable advancements in numeracy, with an increased percentage of pupils successfully solving foundational numeracy problems across multiple grade levels in both Progressive and Primary schools after two terms.

“These outcomes underscore the positive impact of KwaraLEARN in enhancing reading and numeracy skills among primary school pupils,” Owolabi said.

UBEC and education funding contribution

Apart from KwaraLEARN, the governor, in his first tenure, invested heavily in education.

He said the administration spent the major part of the tenure by heavily-funding basic education to launch Kwara back to national reckoning — seven years after the state was blacklisted for the looting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds in 2013 by the former administration.

AbdulRazaq said the introduction of KwaraLEARN came after the administration had stabilised the system, adding that the programme would give the Kwara child access to 21st century digital education in a sustainable way.

“The former administration misbehaved. They did not invest in education at all. It is indeed saddened to know that they did what they did. We all know what UBEC stands for. It was created by the Federal Government to assist states with funding of basic education system. In 2013, the state was given about a billion naira and they just stole the money. Since then the state was barred from accessing the funds,” he said.

“The state was blacklisted until 2019 when UBEC started forcing them to pay back. When we came in 2019, there was an outstanding of N450 million to be paid. So, we quickly paid that.

“The sad tale is that there had been no significant investment in education. The school infrastructure had collapsed. Teachers were not paid. Teachers were promoted but they did not back it up. We are just backing it now, some dating back to 2017.

“Teachers were paid half salaries. Teachers were working as bricklayers to supplement their incomes because they didn’t get their salaries.”

The impact of KwaraLEARN in enhancing reading and numeracy skills has validated the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Basic Education and Services’ commendation to the state for efficient use of basic education grants.

Last year, the committee applauded the state government’s determination to improve standard of education.

The commendation came barely one month after UBEC said Kwara stood out for excellent utilisation of the grants — a feat the body observed was a departure from its horrible experience with Kwara State in the past, when the grants were diverted, resulting in the blacklist of the state for at least seven years (2013-2019).

The committee specifically applauded AbdulRazaq for quality service delivered in the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission matching grants, saying the state deserves a pat on the back for the quality of the schools and other facilities funded from the money so far accessed.

“What we have seen so far in Kwara is of high quality and satisfactory. There is evidence of focus and commitment, and a clear interest in promoting basic education and empowering our children to survive in an increasingly complex technology-driven global system,” chairman of the committee Prof. Julius Ihonvbere told reporters in Ilorin.

Flanked by other members of the ad-hoc committee, Ihonvbere was speaking as the committee wrapped up its two-day oversight visit to Kwara State, to inspect the completed and ongoing UBEC-SUBEB projects.

“I think the best way to appreciate what is going on is to have the proper understanding of how it used to be, and we’ve seen a lot in Kwara,” Ihonvbere added.

“It is not always that we find a leadership (like AbdulRazaq) that understands basic education and its value to national growth and development. If the basics – the foundation – are contaminated and corrupted, what it produces can never promote peace, stability, growth and development anywhere in the world, that is why basic education is very critical.”

With the transformative digital educational achievements under KwaraLEARN and efficient utilisation of UBEC funds by the state government among primary school pupils, the state is aimed at achieving better increase  pupils’ enrolment, enhance teaching practices and better reading and numeracy skills among primary school pupils.

• •LASU adopts hybrid teaching method over inadequate facilities

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Mr. Sonny Echono, has said the Fund has spent over N27.6 billion on Information Communication and Technology (ICT) intervention programmes in tertiary institutions in the last seven years.

He made this known on Tuesday in Lagos while delivering a lecture at the 26th Convocation of the Lagos State University (LASU) on campus in Ojo.

The lecture had as theme: “The impact of digitisation on higher education in a digital age.”

Echono urged governments at all levels, parents and donor agencies to actively promote avenues that would ensure students and teaching staff get soft loans to enable them acquire digital devices for teaching and learning.

He said TETFUND had established a National Knowledge Bank where theses beneficiaries of its programmes would be stored in digital form for easy accessibility from anywhere in the world.

Echono said  ICT use was  not limited to adopting it in the payment of fees, but that it would help many people have access to education among many other possibilities and advantages.

 “Graduates need a mix of skills more than in the past. Incidentally, most of the skills are hinged on digital literacy. Some companies have left the country because of the lack of people with the basic skills required in their sectors despite the high rate of unemployment in the country.

Read Also: TETFUND Boss to deliver LASU’s 26th convocation lecture

“To drive this home, 87 per cent of McKinsey Global Survey respondents say they experience such skill gap too. The challenges of higher education are similar across other nations. We must review our curriculum and ensure that as we give people technical knowledge, we also give them real life business practices to guide them in life.

 “We have developed a digital literacy roadmap, as there is the urgent need to reimagine our education system and review our curriculum periodically, as we experience changes in the world daily,” he said.

The TETFund boss noted that the organisation tripled its allocations to ICT projects in the last few years, a development that led to over 19,000 people being trained in digital literacy across the institutions.

 On the merits of digitisation of teaching and learning, Echono said it would reduce cost, increase access to education, improve efficiency, among others.

The Chairman of the event, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said two revolutions started globally about two decades ago and were changing the ways people live.

He listed them to be Digital and Genetic Revolutions, with the former driving the latter.

The NUC boss said a comprehensive review of the curriculum in universities had been done by the Commission.

Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said the institution had adopted a hybrid teaching method to tackle inadequacy of facilities caused by explosion in student population.

“Apart from providing a solution to overcrowding in the classrooms, this innovation will also ensure that students who cannot attend physical classes have an opportunity to join virtual ones irrespective of their locations on the university’s campuses.

“This hybrid method has also solved problems associated with manually accessing university’s services such as certificate and transcript processing, school fees payment and other financial transactions,” she said.

Earlier, some TETFUND-donated infrastructure was inaugurated by Rasheed. They included  buildings at Department of Arts and Faculty of Communications and Media Studies.

Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State wing, has called on the state government to look into the delay in the increment of retirement age of teachers in public schools from 60 to 65 years and the duration of service from 35 to 40 years.

The appeal  was made at the opening of a three-day Study Circle and Trade Union Education Workshop, organised by the union’s executive committee members, from the local government branches to the state level in Ikorodu.

National President of NUT, Titus Amber, who was represented by the union’s National Treasurer, Olusegun Raheem, noted that the new Retirement Age Act, had been enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, as part of the welfare packages for public school teachers in the country, adding that about 22 states have embraced the policy for their teachers already.

“The development is surprising more so that the meetings of the committees on establishment that provided the modalities for the Act was held in Lagos.

 “Lagos State, which is considered to be a model in almost every sector, particularly education, for other states, is yet to adopt the policy, let alone start implementing it two years after it has become a law,” he said.

Read Also: Cross River auditor-general goes on compulsory retirement

Not disputing the fact that the state had done well in education sector and for teachers in general, the union boss added that it would be unfair if the state would lag behind in the implementation of the new retirement age policy.

State chairman of union, Akintoye Hassan, said the union has exhausted the necessary procedures to make the new retirement policy a reality, appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to look into their plight.

He noted: “We don’t need to go into any dispute before we actualise our right. This issue of retirement has gone beyond the issue of privilege. It has become a matter of right for every teacher in Nigeria.

“It is one of the contents of that bill to enhance the status of teachers in Nigeria. Retirement is one of the contents of that bill, which has been attended to by former President Buhari over a year ago but because education is on concurrent list, that is why we are passing it.

“As reasonable Labour leaders, we have tried as much as possible to place all these issues on ground, identify challenges where we feel there’s any and offer solution to those challenges.”

State Secretary NUT, Gbenga Ayetoba said: “Through trade unionism, like we are doing today, the union now knows that it is not about banging tables. It is about putting dialogues together to bring about productive results.”

• •Kismet Pillars, De Victory shine in primary schools section

It was another occasion to celebrate young talents as the Young Talent Brain Quest schools competition held recently in Lagos.

The occasion, its 12th edition, also doubled as the 10th anniversary of the school quiz, which is yearly organised by Ose Brain Quest Foundation, a brainchild of Aiwanose Aidanmwosa.

Despite the early morning rain, the House of Grace Church Auditorium venue, inside Grace Land Estate, Alakija, Lagos, recorded a large turn-out.

Senior/junior secondary and primary schools pupils across Lagos were tested in various categories, such as Impromptu Speech, Innovation Challenge, Spelling in Figures and Mathematics Skills Challenge.

At the end of event, Radiance High School, FESTAC Town came first in the Impromptu Speech Senior Category; it was followed by St. Jude’s Private School and Lagos State Model College, Kankon.

In the Mathematics Skills Challenge (Senior Category), Amuwo Odofin Senior Secondary School came tops. Imoye Senior High School and Araromi Ilogbo Grammar School came second and third.

The Innovation Challenge for Junior Secondary Schools Category had FESTAC Junior Grammar School beating other schools. St. Jude’s Private School and Radiance School rekindled their rivalry, coming second and third.

The Junior Schools Mathematics Skills Challenge had St. Jude’s Private School coming first, followed by Badagry Grammar School and Ajeromi Ifelodun, Junior High School.

In the Primary Schools Category, the Spelling-in-Figures Category provided the most thrill and excitement. Pupils were required to spell English words, using alphabets’ numerical position in figures.

De Victory Nursery and Primary School, Ijanikin, Lagos emerged overall best here. Kismet Pillars Schools, Coker came second and Ebere Nursery and Primary School and Champion Baptist Academy tied in third place.The Mental Quest (Primary Schools) Category had Kismet Pillars Schools turning the table against its conqueror in the Spelling-in-Figures category, De Victory Nursery and Primary School, beating it to the third position.Woodbell School came second in this category.

A total of 157 senior and secondary schools entered for the first stages of the competition while 69 qualified for the final stage.

Respite came the way of indigent students and parents on Monday when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law, the Access to Higher Education Bill, popularly called the Student Loan Bill. The Bill was sponsored by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, now Chief of Staff to the President. It was passed by the National Assembly last month.

The purpose of the Bill, which disbursement will start between September and October, is contained in its title: “A Bill for an Act to provide for easy access to higher education for Nigerians through an interest-free loan from the Nigerian Education Bank established in this Act to provide education for Nigerians and other purposes connected thereto.”

However, since signing the bill, President Tinubu has received numerous praises from stakeholders in the educational sector and outside over the move. Despite people’s positive reactions, including students, key academic unions and experts have raised posers over the implications for prospective students’ future.

Reacting, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described the loan bill as discriminatory between the children of the rich and the poor. Its National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview, said: “The union will react soon but everyone knows our position on student loans because you will end up encumbering the children of the poor with loans and debt after graduating.This is discriminatory. If what I read online is correct, it said it is only for children whose parents earn at least N500,000 per annum. That means if your father earns more, you won’t benefit.”

Read Also: Student loan law takes off in September

Similarly, the National President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Anderson Ezeibe, said: “I have not studied the bill and we don’t want to react on the surface. But I have seen one area that will not be practicable. It says that students should refund the money two years after NYSC. But what is the provision for someone who is not working after NYSC? And will they all get jobs immediately after NYSC?”

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) described the student loan bill as a “way forward” in the country’s education system, faulted the repayment terms.

In a statement, the Coordinator, NANS, Zone D, Adejuwon Emmanuel, said: “Without saying much, the Student Loan Act is a way forward to the educational system in Nigeria, because it will assist students whose parents cannot afford to pay tuition fee to pay with the loan.

“But as good as this is, there are some questions that need to be answered by the government. The ultimatum for repayment is not feasible. As we all know, there is no work anywhere and most graduates don’t get work immediately. How will they pay back? How will it work when most of our graduates do not get jobs. Is there any plan or opportunity for those that have no work two years after NYSC?”

A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Uyo, Prof. Ini Uko, lauded the initiative, saying: “Well, this means that tuition fees will go up. The subsidy on tertiary education will be removed.Vice-chancellors will  be able to introduce tuition fees. This is a good initiative. I am a beneficiary of a student loan and, of course, the people who benefit from it will have to pay back.

“The truth is that we have to stop pretending that the government alone can continue to fund tertiary education. It is not possible.”

Prof. Nasiru Medugu Idris of Nasarawa State University, Keffi also claimed that the new Student Loan Act would cause an increment in tuition fees for students.

Also, Prof. Ben Ugwoke from the University of Abuja also attested that public institutions are not allowed to charge tuition fees as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, except for other miscellaneous charges that keep the school running.

“To the naive, it means relief but to my mind, I think it means higher charges are on the horizon for students,” Ugwoke said.

After the signing of the bill into law, Nigerians have been sharing online a 1980 newspaper’s publication by the defunct Nigerian Students Loan Board containing the particulars of defaulters who gave false addresses and non-existent guarantors to the board when they were students for the purpose of obtaining loan.

With the questions raised by stakeholders, parents and students have appealed to the government to inaugurate the new loan board immediately to douse the doubts being raised by academic unions and experts as well as streamline its functions in line with what obtains in advanced world.

Those who will not benefit

But, more details of the Student Loan Act have shown that students and parents with loan default history, exam malpractices, and drug-related offences may not benefit from the law.

The interest-free loan also specifies that defaulters of repayment or anyone aiding them shall be liable, upon conviction, to two years’imprisonment, or a fine of N500,000 or both.

The Student Loan Act specifies: “A student can be disqualified if they or their parents have defaulted on any loan in the past, or they (student) have been convicted of drug-related offences or any felony involving dishonesty or fraud, or they if the student has been found guilty of exam malpractices by any school authority.”

The Presidency maintains that the Act would be implemented through the use of the Nigerian Identity Number (NIN).

Following the signing of the bill, stakeholders have been showering praises on the President

‘It will alleviate burden of financial constraints’

The Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties yesterday praised Tinubu for signing bill into law. The youth leaders said bill would alleviate the burden of financial constraints on students.

Its Chairman, Amb. Muhammed Musa, briefing reporters on the development, said the law would shape the future of Nigeria and the youth.

Musa said: “By signing the Student Loan Bill into law, you have opened the doors to a brighter future for countless indigent students. This legislation, which provides interest-free loans, is a remarkable step towards empowering our youths and ensuring that financial constraints no longer hinder their pursuit of education.

“Education has always been the cornerstone of progress and development in any society. It is through education that we can unlock the potential of our youth and equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to build a prosperous nation. However, the unfortunate reality is that many talented and deserving students have been unable to access higher education due to financial limitations.

“But, today, thanks to President Tinubu’s visionary leadership, that reality is changing. The  Student Loan Act will alleviate the financial constraints faced by indigent  students. By providing interest-free loans, this legislation levels the playing field and ensures that no talented young mind is left behind. It opens up a world of opportunities for those who have the passion and dedication to pursue their dreams but lack the means to do so.”

Students’ loan: dropout rate to reduce, says NANS

Vice President, External Affairs of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the students’ loan would drastically reduce the rate of school dropouts, while more students would be encouraged to apply into higher institutions.

In a statement, he lauded President Tinubu for the ‘special gift’ to students on Democracy Day.

Afeez said the Act would correct many anomalies and put several Nigerian institutions at par with their counterparts abroad.

He noted that the rate at which students committed suicide due to depression when they drop out of school, and the rate at which some of our female students engage in some vices  to meet up with payment of their fees, would reduce or die naturally because there would no longer be financial pressure to warrant such acts.

“The first Democracy Day in this new dispensation came with a special gift for us the students and our parents – signing of the students’ loan bill into law. This is because whatever affects us equally affects our parents.

“All the presidential candidates in the last presidential election in Nigeria had their manifestos and they had the parts that talked about their plans for the education sector but none surpassed that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His plans for education were meticulously spelt out and even a novice would be able to relate with it because it was straight to the point and the goals were not too complex to be achievable.

“After perusing his manifesto with my team, we were able to convince students; hence an endorsement of Tinubu’s candidature.

“Right from his first hour in office, Nigerians have started to feel the change of power and the light of the renewed hope has shone round every sphere since he assumed office.

“I want to sincerely appreciate Tinubu on behalf of students and I want to categorically say that we don’t regret endorsing Mr. President,” he said.

Ogunbanjo: Tinubu has brought succour to parents, students

Deputy National President of National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, described Tinubu as a true democrat, who had brought succour to parents and students.

Ogunbanjo, who hailed Tinubu for putting smiles on the faces of parents and students, noted that it was a win-win situation for them because it is interest-free loan.

He said: “President Bola Tinubu is two weeks today in office and he has done very well. In our days, there used to be Students Loan Board in Surulere, Lagos, but all that is no more. The military government didn’t believe in it. Thank God Tinubu has brought a big succour for parents. Indigent students can apply for a loan. It is a good development.

“Parents are delighted and we congratulate the President for signing the bill into law. It shows Tinubu is a true democrat by signing the bill into law on Democracy Day. It is a good step in the right direction. We, at NAPTAN, celebrate him for putting smiles on the faces of parents and students. It is quite wonderful that the loan will be interest-free. It is quite commendable. Students will not be deprived of education with this. It is a win-win situation for parents and students. Kudos to Mr. President.”

CONUA: a positive development

National President, CONUA, Niyi Sunmonu said the initiative was  welcome.

“For us and from the little we can read on the pages of the newspapers, it is a positive development that would grant equal opportunity to students to access higher education.

“Once we have access to the Act, we would be able to talk more,” he noted

‘Good decision by President’

Also, an educationist, Mr. Akintoye Hassan, lauded the move. He, however, hoped it would have a lasting positive effect.

He said: “It is a good decision but we will tarry to have the detail of the bill. What we advocate is proper funding of education from primary to tertiary level that will provide free and quality education to the citizenry.

“It has happened in this country before, where university students used to have free meals. Later, they paid for it, but subsidised and eventually they stopped till today. You can only talk about loan where the cost becomes unaffordable.

“In the advanced clime, foreign students pay high school fees to bear the burden of their citizens. This is achievable with proper funding of education that will be able to deliver quality and unique knowledge in some specific aspects of human endeavours through problem-solving research that will attract foreign students.”