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| Image source: NAIJAGRAPHITTI IMAGE BANK |
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grant administration, execution of capital projects, provision of essential
municipal services, as well as effective administration, are some aspects of
university operations that have been rocked by the ongoing recession. Schools
at lower levels are also offering incentives and fee cuts in order to retain
their students. Eno-Abasi Sunday and Ujunwa Atueyi of The Guadian write on how schools are
battling the economic downturn.
When the Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) and sundry groups deplored the inclusion of all federal government-owned
educational institutions in the blanket implementation of the Treasury Single
Account (TSA) policy of the Federal Government, on the ground that it was
crippling their efforts to deliver on their set objectives, not many thought
matters would get from bad to worse so soon.
But the economic downturn, which has given birth
to a recession, has hastened the doomsday for these institutions. Tertiary
institutions are not alone in this dilemma, as the impact of the hard-hitting
economic malaise has engulfed the entire education spectrum, in one way or
another.
In simple terms, a recession is defined as a
period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial
activities are reduced, generally identified by a fall in the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) in two successive quarters.
Its impact in the education sector, many parents
and stakeholders fear, could lead to poor quality service delivery in these
institutions, some of which are already lying belly up, owing to multi-faceted
challenges.
At the tertiary level, only the managements of a
few federal-owned institutions have come out to openly state the grueling
impact of recession on their operations, while many afraid of being sanctioned
by the government have remained taciturn. Even those that elect to divulge any
details of their sufferings prefer to do so anonymously.
However, the acting Vice Chancellor of Obafemi
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, remains one of
those that have cried out publicly that recession is affecting the provision of
essential services as well as the effective running of universities.
In an address he gave during the matriculation of
7,500 students for the 2015/2016 academic session, Elujoba, who was
represented by the Chairman, Committee of Deans, Prof. Adeagbo Amusan, however,
assured the new students of good conditions of living in the school despite the
recession, just as he appealed to them to ensure proper use of municipal
facilities in order to reduce cost.
“Your admission to the university coincides with
a period of obvious economic recession in the country. The implication is that
funds are not readily available for provisions of municipal and other essential
services. However, I assure you of our readiness to continue to ensure that
issues affecting students’ welfare are addressed as prompt as possible within the
limited resources.
“As the university is ever willing to go the
extra mile to make you succeed in your studies and other legitimate endeavours,
you are also under obligation to make judicious use of all the resources that
are provided.”
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| Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu Image source: STATE HOUSE |
Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s
University, Ede, Osun State, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, recently laced his view
regarding the recession with an advise to President Muhammadu Buhari, to seek
the services of tested economic experts to help him steer the country’s economy
out of recession.
At a briefing to signal the commencement of
activities marking the eight convocation of the university, he maintained that
the education sector was not insulated from the economic logjam.
“The
change the people are expecting is a positive one, so they have to work extra
hard to effect it. The government should look for seasoned economic advisers
wherever they can get them. It may be from the universities, from labour
unions, the private sector or anywhere. It does not mean that these economic
advisers must be from a particular political party,” the vice chancellor
stated.
He insisted that the, “Solution does not lie with
the International Monetary Fund; it does not lie with the World Bank, the
solution to the economic recession lies within us.”
Adeyewa added that the school was trying its best
to ensure that the quality of lives of the students was not adversely affected
by the recession, hence its decision not to tinker with school fees despite the
fall in the value of the naira.
He called on the Federal Government to help
private universities to grow by enunciating policies that would facilitate
that.
His words: “We need polices which will allow us
to grow. So many universities where Nigerians are trooping to abroad cannot
compare to our own here in Nigeria. Some of them have just one story building
and that is all but their government allow them to grow,” he added.
Spokesperson of a federal university, who craved
anonymity told The Guardian that “Both the TSA policy and the ongoing recession
have dealt harshly with the operations of federal universities.
“Before now, issues like power cut, water
problems and the likes were handled with dispatch by the school management
because of their capacity to cause discontent on campus. The TSA has worsened
the scenario now. To get as little as ₦50, 000 out of the system, we have to
wait for at least 72 hours. Sometimes getting funds out could take up to 10
days. This does not make for effective running of a university,” he stated.
The spokesperson also added that providers of
certain external grants are not pleased with the management of the monies
because of the sloppy manner of release, which is occasioned by the TSA.
Another spokesperson, who also craves anonymity
said, “With the way things are going, it is only a matter of time before
compromise will start setting in. Right now, many private universities are
cap-in-hand looking for students, as parents who can hardly feed their families
are not looking their way. It is only a few parents who can still get a little
money from here and there that are giving a thought to sending their wards to private
universities.
“Now, private universities are increasingly
engaging the services of marketers to get them new students. Those who had
marketers before are, like banks, increasing targets for them in order to cover
lost ground.
“Already, some private universities are
contemplating payments of fees in up to six installments, away from the three
installments which some schools currently practice. In addition to this, there
are strong indications that some private universities would end up cutting down
their fees,” he added.
The image maker regretted that matters have gone
so bad that some private and public universities have stopped capital projects
even as worst hit private universities are now paying half salaries to their
workers.
“Rather than bring in investors, who may end up
hijacking their schools from them, some private university owners are
downscaling investments in their schools. No capital projects any more. Where
unavoidable, big name contracting firms are out of the question as the jobs are
given to individuals with considerate charges. Workers are now taking home half
salaries and you know what this is capable of causing in the long run,” he
concluded.
On whether the school has increased its school
fees as some have done in other to cushion the effects of the recession,
spokesperson of Caleb University, Kola Adepoju said, “For this session, we have
not increased our fees. Even though we are still charging one of the least fees
among private universities, we are not compromising standards.
“The proprietor and management of this school has
also ensured that no single staff in this institution is owed a single month
salary or other things due them,” he concluded.
At the secondary schools level, some schools have
already slashed fees and also accepted the idea of fee payment in installments.
Issues like excursions and foreign trips are some of the areas they are
considering shelving.
According to a parent, Mrs. Joy Onwe, “What most
parents are contending with now is the school fees and other bills and not
renewal of school wears. I have explained to my five children that there won’t
be renewal of any item this session as they would all have to manage their old
wears. What is topmost on my mind is tuition and sundry fees. I have weighed
the pros and cons of changing to another low-fee paying school, but by the time
you start buying new uniforms, sports wears and others, it will amount to same
figure if not more than. So I have ruled out moving my kids to another school.
“As an individual, I have already meet the school
authorities and discussed the mode of payment, and we had agreed on four
installments. I have to be faithful with the pact, because I wouldn’t want my
children to be embarrassed.
Another parent, Dr. Katty Ayande, is appealing to
Buhari to urgently address the economic situation in the country as matters
were “getting out of control.”
“For me, we are moving our kids in the primary
and secondary schools to another quality, but average fee-paying school. The
times we are into do not call for pretense. It is about tackling our individual
and family issues head-on. I have discussed that with my husband, and we have
agreed. I used the long holiday to search for alternative schools that measure
up to the standard we desire. I have found one, and it is also affordable. I do
hope, that this economic recession will end soonest,” she said.
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Nigerian university students Image source: PULSENG
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For Managing Director of Edumark Consult, an
educational consulting firm, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, “A number of people have called
me to ask if slashing of fees by some schools would not compromise quality.
Others are alleging that schools that have slashed their fees by about 50 per
cent were overcharging. Some are offering up to 50 per cent discount on fees,
but the question is how will such schools cope with salaries and increasing
costs? Something is not adding up here.
“Clearly it shows that parents must be discerning
and ask questions like, have schools been over charging? Are they going to
reduce the salary of their teachers or the quality of meals given to pupils?
This is a time you must ask questions and ensure you take decisions that are in
the best interest of your children,” she charged parents.
But Chief Executive Officer of Global
International College, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs. Abolaji Osime, believes that
considering what parents are facing at the moment, discount is not a bad idea.
She said, “It is only if you are not a parent
that you will not feel what other parents are currently going through,
especially those with children abroad. It is called empathy. Nigeria is
officially in recession. Parents are struggling to meet up and are asking for
discounts and schools are in a dilemma. Do we insist on charging normal fees or
do we adjust to current realities, cut costs, operate lean budgets and pass on
the gains to parents without compromising quality?
“And guess what, it is not only the education
sector that is giving incentives to customers, it’s everyone. Nigerian parents
are asking for financial aid in the United States’ universities. United Kingdom
universities are slashing fees to encourage Nigerian parents. What GIC has done
is to pass on the gains to parents. I will rather give parents discount than
pay banks 29 per cent interest. God will see all of us through.”
For Proprietress of New Life Private School,
Ikotun, Lagos, Mrs. Gbemisola Emiebor, “We would not increase school fees;
rather we would go out of our way to give considerations that might affect our
marketing goals. But all would be in the interest of parents. My only fear is
that majority of these parents do not keep to their words. And I would not want
teachers’ welfare to be affected because teachers’ welfare remains an integral
part of our core values.”
While this is lingering, education expert have
counseled schools and parents not to compromise standards in these
circumstances, but rather try to make the best out of the available resources.
According to the Head of Department, Educational
Foundation, University of Lagos, Akoka, Prof. Ngozi Osarenren, “Schools should
not reduce fees because it is like a cyclical thing. It is the fees that they
will use to pay the teachers. If you want good quality teaching and care for
your child, the school fees should not be reduced, else it will boil down to
quality issues.
“However, if the fees of the school your ward is
attending are too high, then look for another quality but affordable
school. The problem with most parents is that their choice of school is largely
influenced by ego-trip. My child attends this or that school. But when you look
at the present realities, they cannot afford it. So it is about reordering
priority in the midst of lean resources.”
Originally published in The Guardian Nigeria
