Parents in Rivers State have expressed support for the Ministry of Education’s decision to ban end-of-term parties in private schools, describing the move as a major financial relief for families.
Many parents accused some private school proprietors of turning what was once a voluntary celebration into a compulsory activity used to impose additional financial burdens on parents amid the rising cost of living.
Speaking to Today FM, several parents said the high levies charged for end-of-term parties have placed unnecessary pressure on household finances and often leave pupils whose parents cannot afford the fees feeling excluded from school activities.
They called on the Rivers State Ministry of Education to ensure strict enforcement of the ban and impose sanctions, including the closure of schools that fail to comply with the directive.
Meanwhile, some parents have raised concerns over alleged extortion in public secondary schools across the state.
One parent alleged that Model Secondary School, GRA, demanded ₦35,000 as Senior Secondary School Examination enrolment fees for her son. The parent further claimed that candidates are required to pay an additional ₦3,000 per subject each day before being allowed into the examination hall.
The allegations have sparked calls for the Ministry of Education to investigate the claims and ensure that public schools do not impose unauthorized charges on students and their families.
