By Adesina Wahab
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has described the proposed increase in registration fees for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) as excessive.
Speaking with Vanguard, Chairman of NAPTAN’s Board of Trustees, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the increase was too steep, considering the financial burden already borne by parents.
“The increase is too high for our liking and acceptance. If the examination bodies are seeking an increase because of the rising cost of living, I think it should be gradual, perhaps not more than 25 per cent. What they are proposing is well above 75 per cent, and that is too much,” he said.
Ogunbanjo noted that parents already shoulder numerous educational and welfare expenses for their children and warned that the higher examination fee could prevent some final-year students from registering for the examinations.
“Apart from examination fees, parents have many other responsibilities. The new rate will place an additional burden on them, and that is why we are appealing to the authorities to reconsider the decision.
“What will be the benefit if a student reaches SS3 but cannot register for the final examination because of the high fee? They should please review the proposed amount downward,” he added.
Reacting to the development, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Titus Amba, said the issue was primarily for parents to decide.
“The NUT is a union for teachers, and our primary concern is the welfare and professional interests of teachers. The issue of examination registration fees is for parents to either accept or reject,” he said.
Amba, however, disclosed that the union would address a press conference on Monday on issues affecting teachers and the education sector.
