The President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Abayomi Otubela, says given the increase in the cost of fuelling, some schools would suspend bus services and parents would be advised to look for alternative means of transporting their wards to school.
According to The PUNCH, Otubela spoke on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony of NAPPS National Secretariat, Conference Centre and Apartment, in Bwari, Abuja.
Otubela said, “Undoubtedly, this is a challenging times for all, touching every sector of the economy, private schools not exempted.
“In response to these challenges, we came together as an association, reasoned and sought the contributions of experts regarding the situation. We realised that we need to tighten our belts to remain afloat.
“We decided that there was a need to reduce some activities that are not directly necessary to academic activities to reduce cost. We also agreed that we will focus only on core curricular activities that can make an immediate impact.
“It was also agreed that some of our social activities that involve financial expenses would be reduced, while we consider the suggestions to get staff quarters within the school environment to reduce transportation cost of teachers and other staff.
“Surely, parents would feel the impact of this decision. Many of our member schools have parked their school buses because of the huge cost of running them.
“Besides, it was never profitable. Parents would have to choose hostel facilities or find other means of bringing their children to school. But we are also looking at support from the government to secure a loan at a single-digit interest.”