A concerned parent in Ekiti State has raised public alarm over what he described as an abrupt and unjustified increase in tuition fees at a prominent private school in Ado-Ekiti, sparking renewed debate about transparency and regulation in the private education sector.
The parent, identified on social media as Boluwaji Akinyede, expressed his dissatisfaction in a widely circulated post, accusing the school management of imposing the fee hike without prior notice, consultation, or adequate justification to parents.
According to Akinyede, the sudden increase places unnecessary financial pressure on families and reflects what he termed an “unlawful and insensitive approach” to extracting money from parents, especially in the current economic climate.
He further alleged that the school had discontinued its annual Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, which traditionally served as a platform for dialogue between parents and school management. Since the abolition of these meetings, he claimed, school fees have continued to rise steadily.
“PTA meetings have been abolished. The sole forum for parental input has disappeared,” Akinyede stated. “Management has closed off feedback channels and eliminated transparency. Decisions are now imposed from above with an expectation of parental silence. This action demonstrates an avoidance of accountability.”
The aggrieved parent argued that parents deserve open communication and involvement in decisions that directly affect their finances and their children’s education. He stressed that explanations for fee increases should be evidence-based and communicated clearly before implementation.
“Parents are entitled to direct communication. Parents are entitled to explanations supported by evidence. Parents deserve involvement before financial decisions are finalised,” he added.
The complaint comes amid growing concerns among parents in Ado-Ekiti following similar fee hikes by other well-known private schools in the state. Many parents have described the trend as distressing, particularly as incomes struggle to keep pace with rising educational costs.
Education observers note that while private schools are independently run, the absence of structured engagement with parents often fuels tension and mistrust, especially when financial decisions appear sudden or unilateral.
The issue has now drawn calls for government intervention, with stakeholders urging the Ekiti State Government to strengthen oversight of private school operators and consider introducing a standardised or regulated framework for school fees.
As public attention intensifies, parents and civil society groups are appealing for dialogue, transparency and policy measures that balance the sustainability of private schools with the economic realities faced by families, warning that unresolved tensions could further strain the education sector in the state.
