School Resumption: Minister Reacts to Third Term Fees

Following the resumption of schools on 4th August 2020, in the Country, the Federal Government has reacted to private school owners charging third term fees for exit classes.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said this at the media briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday.

He made it clear that private schools we’re businesses and not a charity organization so are entitled to charge a third term fee if they wish to.

The Minister said: “For public institutions, we can’t tell you that we charge school fees, as most of our schools are free. Public schools are free and vary from state to state.

“But when you go into a contractual relationship with a school owner, a school owner is a passionate person but is also a business person. He or she is not running a charity organisation, they may be charitable in its approach, but it’s not charity.

“So, it’s important that you appreciate that a private school is entitled to charge fees for the work they do. The person that runs a school maybe passionate about education but will still charge fees.”