Parents Condemn 3rd Term Fees Demand by ULWS

Parents of the University of Lagos Women Society Nursery and Primary School, have condemned the school’s demand for 3rd term fees.

The school emailed a letter to the parents on May 18, 2020 and signed by the school’s head teacher, Mrs. Abimbola Afolabi.

The letter which told the parents June 5, 2020 deadline, explained that the fees were needed to pay workers’ salaries.

“On 4th of May, the school commenced the online teaching of the 3rd term scheme of work. We are already in the third week of teaching. By the grace of God, we intend to continue for as long as it requires.

“However, in order to sustain our obligation to our staff, it has become necessary at this juncture to appeal to our dear parents. For them to please pay the school fees of our pupils. This is needed to keep up with the school’s statutory obligations. Most especially, teacher’s salary for the month of May, as well as sustaining the online learning support,” the letter reads.

“We are not being insensitive to the current economic situation but will appreciate if all payments can come in latest by Friday, 5th June, 2020.

“Should you be unable to meet up with this deadline kindly get in touch with the headmistress for a payment plan,” it adds.

The letter also specified the amount parents are expected to pay for the term. Playgroup/Nursery pupils are to pay N49,000 (if the parent is a staff member of the University of Lagos), or N82,800 (for non-members of staff of UNILAG). Kindergarten pupils are paying N62,500 (members of staff); and N96,300 (non-staff); while Year 1-4 pupils are to pay N63,250 (members of staff) and N108,100 (non-staff).

While reacting to the letter, most parents described such demand as insensitive, considering the economic effects of Covid-19.

“This is unfair. My salary has been halved and the school comes up with this?,” a parent said.

Another parent, a member of staff of the university, accused the school of not carrying parents along.

“The problem with the school is, there is always highhandedness on the part of the management. Most times they don’t carry parents along.

“When this whole thing started, they started e-learning with WhatsApp. Later, they told us there would be a break and we started using the school’s website. Only for us to get emails three days back that we should pay third term fees – more than the expected amount. When we rejected it, it was reviewed but we were told to pay over three-quarters of the fees for online classes alone,” the parent said.