Civic group raises concern over rising private school fees, seeks review of textbook policy

A Taraba State-based civil society organization, Bilbas Care for Rural Education and Development Initiative, BICREDI, has raised alarm over what it described as arbitrary and continuous increases in private school fees across the state.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Jalingo, BICREDI’s Founder and Executive Director, Bello Bako, urged the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board, TSUBEB, to strengthen its monitoring and regulatory framework to ensure private schools comply with approved standards and to protect parents from financial exploitation.

The civic group also criticized the enforcement of the one-time-use textbook policy in private schools, warning that it places an unnecessary financial burden on families, particularly those in rural communities.

According to BICREDI, requiring parents to purchase new textbooks every academic session undermines efforts to make education affordable and accessible.

The group called on TSUBEB to intervene and reconsider the policy to ease the financial strain on parents.

In addition, BICREDI formally requested a courtesy visit with the TSUBEB Chairman through the Office of the Secretary. The NGO said the meeting would focus on rising school fees and the textbook policy, issues it described as critical to the quality of basic education in Taraba State.