The Kaduna State government on Tuesday announced the reintroduction of school fees in senior secondary schools across the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Halima Lawal, made this known in a letter to the principals of secondary schools in Kaduna.

Ms Lawal said the reintroduction of the fees at the senior secondary school level was due to the dwindling resources at the disposal of the state government.

She blamed the development on the harsh economic conditions, which compelled the government to rescind the decision.

“The increase in the population of school children in the state necessitates the expansion and renovation of existing structures, provision of teaching and learning materials to provide a functional and conducive learning environment.

“However, the dwindling resources at the disposal of the state, due to the harsh economic conditions of the times, have made it compelling to reintroduce school fees in our secondary schools,” she explained.

She said that, consequently, every student at the senior secondary level in the state would now be required to pay a nominal fee of N2,000 for an academic session.

She explained that each student was expected to pay N1000 for the first term and N500 for the second and third terms.

“Students have the option to make full payment at the beginning of the session or in three instalments over the three terms.

“All Principals are requested to note that the payment of the fee is with effect from the second term of 2022/2023 session.

“Modalities of payment would be communicated in due course,” she said. 

The state government had, in 2019, abolished the payment of fees in schools from primary to senior secondary for all students with effect from 2020.

The move, according to the government, was to reduce the burden on parents and to facilitate free access to education by children of school age.

(NAN)