Back-to-school ‘wahala’

• Parents count cost as fees, books, uniforms, shoes gulp family savings

From Charity Nwakaudu,  Abuja

School  resumption has plunged many families in Abuja into fresh financial headaches, with parents struggling to raise money for fees, books, uniforms, shoes and other school requirements.

For many parents, preparation began weeks before schools reopened. Household spending was trimmed, personal needs shelved and every available naira carefully guarded for the children’s return to school.

But with the rising cost of living, meeting the needs of school demands has become a big task. A mother of four, Agnes Audu, said she usually travelled to Suleja to buy textbooks, socks and other school items because they were cheaper there.

This time, however, she said her plans were disrupted after her children’s school insisted that textbooks must be purchased from the school. She had earlier paid the school fees ahead of resumption to enjoy a 5 per cent early-payment discount: “I was able to pay the school fees because the 5 per cent could also go a long way for me. I have four children in that school.”

With books now adding to the financial burden, she said she might have to buy some immediately and complete the others later.

Another parent, Mrs. John Iyabo, said: “We don’t wait for the school to resume or for the holidays before we start gathering for the next session. We plan ahead.”

But for Mr. Charles Wukong, a resident of Lugbe and father of two, planning ahead has not completely shielded his family from the financial squeeze. He said he had already spent more than N300,000 on school fees and was now battling to raise money for textbooks: “I’ve been thinking all through for the past three days. I don’t even know what I’m doing because I’ve been trapped in thoughts of how to get money to foot the bills.

“My immediate plan is to plead with the school to allow my children to use their old books until I can afford new ones. If they will not give me the books on credit, the children should be allowed to use their old books until I am able to gather money for the new ones.”

Mrs. Priscilla Gwana, a mother of three in Kubwa, said the pressure has stretched the family’s finances and tested her marriage: “If not for God, we would have quarreled because of this thing. But we are trying to understand ourselves because it is not easy.”

A single mother of two, Monica Ibe, said she was facing an even tougher battle, revealing that, days to resumption, she had yet to pay her children’s fees. According to her, textbooks for one child alone would cost more than N100,000, excluding fees, uniforms, school bags, shoes and other charges: “I have not slept for many days because my head is seriously aching me. I don’t know where to run to.”

She had set money aside for the new session but the person she entrusted part of the money to had failed to make it available, leaving her stranded. She is considering pleading with the school to allow her child to resume with old textbooks and replace them gradually.

While parents count the cost, many students are counting down to the joy of seeing their friends again. For Amara Chukwu, the long holiday had become boring: “I am very happy going back to school to see my friends. I have really missed them during the long holiday.

“Although I attended summer lessons, staying at home became boring. So, I am very happy that school is starting again. I can’t wait to see my friends.”

Ibrahim Aisha is moving to SS2: “I am happy to return to school because I am already tired of the long break. I want to learn more in SS2 and see how things will continue in the new school session.”

Traders who normally cash in on the back-to-school rush are also feeling the heat. Madam Bridget, a stationery seller at Utako, said: “Business is not as usual. Most of the schools have taken our businesses, so we barely sell these days. Some schools now sell exercise books, socks and virtually every other school essential, leaving traders with little to sell.

“There is almost nothing they don’t sell. But thank God some schools have allowed their parents to buy exercise books outside. They no longer produce customised exercise books for their students, and that has helped us to make some sales.”

Bridget said she was hopeful that sales would improve because many parents were yet to buy their children’s exercise books. She, however, drew a hard line: “I don’t sell on credit anymore. I know how much I have lost by giving goods to parents who promise to pay at the end of the month.

“By the time the month ends, they stop passing through this lane. If you eventually trace them to their houses, they start giving you excuses you don’t want to hear. I have restricted myself from that path. Whatever amount you have, I will give you what you can afford. But no credit.”

Despite the financial squeeze on families and traders, Bridget said the relaxation by some schools had brought a measure of relief: “The sales have improved and I am expecting more.”