The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have expressed concern over the rising cost of bus fares across the country, warning that it may lead to an increase in school dropouts and teachers missing classes.
The concerns come as schools in Lagos State resumed for the 2024/2025 session, with parents and teachers struggling to cope with the increased transportation costs.
The National Chairman of the PTA, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, stated that the rising transportation costs would lead to more student dropouts, emphasizing the hardship faced by parents. “If parents become hesitant to send their children to school, we will face even greater challenges. Parents are struggling, and we risk having a surge in the number of out-of-school children, which will be a major issue for all of us,” Danjuma said.
The PTA national leader called on the government to take urgent action to support parents, ensuring that their children can continue attending school. “We appeal to the government to address the issue of poverty in our country. They should consider providing free transportation in certain areas for schoolchildren. Designated vehicles could pick up children from specific points to help ease the burden on parents,” he added.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the NUT, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, expressed concern that teachers would struggle to attend school regularly due to their meagre salaries. “The government has made several promises without fulfilling any. If a parent has four children attending different schools, they could end up spending N5,000 per day on transportation, which is outrageous. Teachers are required to be physically present at school every day, while other workers can work from home some days, yet many primary school teachers have not even received the minimum wage,” Ike-Ene said.
Parents across Lagos State have also expressed frustration over the rising transport fares. A parent in Ikeja, Mrs. Nneka Aderounmu, shared her concerns, stating that her two children previously paid N30,000 each for the school bus between Mangoro and Cement Bus Stop, Ikeja, for a term, but the school bus bill for this term has increased to N60,000 each. “Sincerely, I don’t know how I’ll manage if I have to pay N120,000 just for the school bus. Meanwhile, school fees, feeding, and books are still there. This government is terrible and wicked to Nigerians. It’s negative leadership. We plead with the government to reduce the cost of fuel because if fuel prices come down, everything else will stabilise,” she said.
The Chairman of the School-based Management Committee, Kings College, Jani Ibrahim, advised that a robust public transportation system is essential to support people with limited means. “For example, Lagos State already has a mass transit system, and that’s what will help. Many Nigerians, when traveling to places like London, rely on public transportation. Unless we have a similarly efficient public transportation system here, the government must step in to regulate it and make sure it’s inclusive, with no discrimination in access,” he said.
