Private schools in Enugu State have significantly raised tuition fees, with some institutions reporting hikes of up to 50%. This comes in response to the state government’s implementation of a stringent tax regime that has imposed hefty financial demands on educational institutions.
Prior to the tax hike, schools charged between N19,000 and N30,000 for tuition. However, with the new policy in place, tuition fees have jumped to N50,000, putting pressure on parents and guardians already struggling to make ends meet. The government’s move now requires even the smallest private schools to pay at least N1 million in taxes, with some larger institutions reportedly paying over N2 million annually.
This situation has sparked concern among educators and parents alike, as education in Enugu State, once considered a basic right, is quickly becoming a luxury that fewer families can afford. A report obtained by SaharaReporters highlighted that the Enugu State government had increased its charges on private schools to over N3.4 million through various channels. This aggressive revenue collection strategy is said to have negatively impacted school enrollment rates across the state.
The government, however, maintains that the tax collection falls between N100,000 to N300,000, depending on the category of the school. Despite this claim, official documents obtained reveal that the actual amount collected often exceeds N1.45 million, with additional charges from multiple government agencies, including environmental health inspections and Enugu Waste Management Authority (ESWMA) fees.
A key document titled **”2024 Enugu State Revised Schools Licensing Fees Regulation”** (Ref: ENS/MOE/POLICY/0003), dated June 3, 2024, was signed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah. It outlines the new fee structures for private schools, which include:
– Application fee for registration inspection (Senior Secondary/STVS 1-3): N200,000
– Complete Basic (Nursery 1-3, Primary 1-6, JSS 1-3): N250,000
– Intermediate Basic (Nursery 1-3, Primary 1-6): N200,000
– Early Childhood (Nursery 1-3, Primary 1-3): N100,000
The document further specifies provisional approval fees for a two-year period, academic year license renewal fees, and other administrative charges. Payments for these fees are to be made to the Enugu State IGR Account.
While the government insists that these changes are necessary to ensure minimum educational standards, streamline the operation of private schools, and improve administration, the financial burden on schools has become a contentious issue, with many arguing that it may lead to a decline in access to quality education.
