Abuja Private School Owners Frowns at Wike’s Fee Hike

The proprietors of Abuja-based private schools have rejected the decision of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to increase their operation charges in the FCT.

The school owners noted that if the decision were not reversed, it would amount to an unprecedented increase in tuition fees which would affect the students and their wards.

The new tax regime proposed by Wike would assess each institution based on student tuition and enrollment figures.

According to a memo on Monday from the Education Secretariat’s Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance, Mudi Muhammed, the development will take effect this month.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the Education Secretariat, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) stated that such a tax review at a time when the Federal Government promised to eliminate multiple taxes would only raise the cost of education beyond the reach of many parents, increasing the number of out-of-school children.

In a letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, NAPPS stated that the tax revision would put further pressure on private schools in the FCT by increasing their operating costs.