State Assembly Ban Increment Of Fees In Cross River Schools

By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent

The Cross River State House of Assembly in a plenary, has adopted a motion calling on the State Government through the Ministry of Education to ban any form of fee increment in schools across the state.

The motion states that, “any new charges that was not introduced/communicated to parents or guardians before the session begins, be prohibited.”

The lead sponsor of the motion, Hon. Bassey Bassey, the Member representing Akpabuyo State Constituency, expressed dismay on the tricky habit of private school owners introducing increments in school fees or new charges within a new session without prior agreement, should be prohibited.

Hon. Bassey stressed that, as much as businessmen, proprietors and proprietresses have the right to review the prices of products and services, the customers also have the right of choice and freedom to decide to accept the prices or not.

He argued that the choice of customer depends on the availability of alternatives, options and opportunities.

The Lawmaker frowned at the habits of private school owners, who are conscious of the near- impossibility to secure admissions into the new school, mid-way into the term, but deliberately choose to increase their fees/charges or introduce new increments, after commencement of a new session. He added that it is a ploy to compel parents to comply with the payments which is against their wishes, stressing that complaints of parents have reached the peak.

In reaction, the House admitted that everyone is affected directly or indirectly, emphasizing the need for the House to pay greater attention to the motion, if possible go beyond just a motion in future to curb the arbitrary increments of school fees or new charges by mostly proprietors of private schools as well as calling on the House relevant committees to raise up to do the needful, through oversight.

The Lawmakers adopted a resolution stating that;

“The introduction of any fee/charges or increment by any school, be it public or private, that was not communicated to parents or guardians before the end of the previous session be prohibited by the government. Such act should attract a stiff penalty, including the withdrawal of operational license of the school.”

The House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem expressed gratitude to the sponsor of the motion which he described as “people friendly motion”. He enjoined members to always sponsor motions such as this to impact the people directly, expressing that posterity will smile at the 10th Assembly in the coming days.