The Kaduna State Government has introduced a new policy that directly affects private schools operating within the state. In a move described as a measure to regulate education standards and protect parents from arbitrary financial burdens, the government has officially banned private schools from increasing tuition fees or upgrading their institutions without first obtaining approval from the relevant authorities.
Why This Policy Matters
Education in Nigeria—especially in states like Kaduna—has long faced the challenge of balancing quality with affordability. For many families, private schools are often seen as the better alternative to public schools, offering improved infrastructure, smaller class sizes, and more consistent teaching standards. However, these benefits usually come at a cost.
Over the years, there have been growing complaints from parents and guardians about the constant and, at times, sudden increases in tuition fees by private schools. In some cases, these hikes happen without proper justification, leaving parents scrambling to adjust their budgets. The government has now stepped in, declaring that such practices can no longer continue unchecked.
The Government’s Position
According to state officials, the new directive is not intended to punish school proprietors but to bring order to the system. Schools wishing to review their tuition fees or carry out significant upgrades to their facilities will now be required to submit a formal request to the Ministry of Education. The ministry will then review these requests based on clear criteria such as:
- Quality of infrastructure provided
- Teacher-to-student ratio
- Compliance with curriculum and academic standards
- Affordability in relation to the community the school serves
Officials argue that this approval process will help ensure fairness while also preventing exploitative practices that leave parents bearing an unfair burden.
Parents’ Reactions
For many parents, the announcement has been met with relief. Several parents’ associations in Kaduna have praised the move, saying it shows that the government is listening to the struggles of ordinary families. Education is already one of the biggest expenses for households, and parents have long complained about schools increasing fees without adequate notice or explanation.
One parent in Barnawa, Kaduna South, told reporters: “This is a welcome development. Some schools just wake up and tell us fees have gone up, no explanation given. At least now, there will be accountability.”
School Owners Raise Concerns
On the other hand, some private school proprietors have expressed worries that the new policy might discourage investment in education. They argue that schools often need to raise fees in order to cope with inflation, rising operational costs, or to improve facilities. Requiring government approval for every increase, they fear, could lead to bureaucratic delays and discourage growth.
An administrator of a mid-sized private school in Kaduna North said: “We understand the concerns of parents, but the truth is, running a school is expensive. Teachers need to be paid competitive salaries, electricity bills are high, and learning materials are not cheap. If approvals take too long, schools may struggle to keep up with expenses.”
Balancing Regulation With Growth
The Kaduna State Government has responded to these concerns by stressing that the policy is not meant to stifle private education but to create balance. They insist that genuine requests for fee increases will not be ignored, but will instead be evaluated on merit and urgency.
In the long run, the government hopes this policy will encourage greater transparency between schools and parents. By providing a regulated framework, both sides can benefit: parents will be protected from arbitrary hikes, and schools that truly need to adjust fees will still have the opportunity to do so—albeit with oversight.
Looking Ahead
Education experts say the success of this policy will depend largely on implementation. If the government creates a transparent, timely, and fair approval system, then both parents and schools could stand to gain. However, if bureaucracy slows things down or if approvals become politicized, the policy could backfire, leaving schools under pressure and students at risk of declining quality.
For now, Kaduna has set a precedent that other states in Nigeria may watch closely. The tug-of-war between affordability and quality in education is not unique to Kaduna; it is a national issue. What happens next could shape broader policy directions in the country’s education sector.