By EUNICE IBRAHIM & REJOICE BITRUS
AS secondary and primary schools in Plateau State reopened for the 2025/2026 academic session, parents have expressed concerns over the rising cost of writing materials despite the general drop in prices of goods in the markets.
Parents made their grievances known in interviews with THE NIGERIA STANDARD in Jos, the Plateau State capital, as correspondents sampled opinions across town.
Some parents disclosed: “Writing materials for our children have become more expensive than last year. A dozen of 80-leaves exercise books used to cost ₦3,500, but now it is ₦4,500. Additionally, textbooks like mathematics now cost ₦5,000 each, which is a significant increase from last year’s price.”
Mrs Abigail Benjamin lamented that both school fees and writing materials for her children in secondary and primary school had become more expensive.
“For my wards in secondary school, their fees went up by 45 per cent compared to last year, and the cost of writing materials seems as if I am paying another school fee for my children. Sadly, messages have been coming from the school reminding us of the fees and levies even before resumption,” she lamented.
Another parent, Mrs Victoria Dan, explained that she had been preparing since June, but it had not been easy.
“My children’s school fees this year compared to last year is expensive. It has tripled. Unfortunately, there is no money, times are hard, and we are hoping things will get better,” she said.
Sharing his approach, Mr Abubakar Usman said he began preparing for resumption since the close of the last session.
“In life you just have to plan ahead. The cost of writing materials is a bit expensive compared to last year, although the school fees remain the same,” Usman noted with relief.
At Government Secondary School Naraguta, both Junior and Senior sections, principals Mr Goten Daniel and Mr Sekuk Justice affirmed their readiness for the new term.
“Our expectation is to do the needful in terms of learning by teaching the new and returning students all the things they are expected to learn because they are the reason we are trained to impact knowledge in them as future leaders,” they said.
At St Michael College, Farin Gada, a teacher, Mr James Omachi, said he used the long vacation for research ahead of the new term.
“As a person, I can assure you that I am fully loaded with all that is necessary to teach the younger ones. Even during holidays, teachers are researching to improve themselves so they won’t be found wanting,” he said.
He also called on students to cooperate with their schools and teachers to benefit from what has been prepared for them.
Mrs Prince Chioma Gloria, Head Teacher of Taclat Primary School, Gamajigo, stated that her school was ready for both returning pupils and new intakes.
“For the new intake, especially in the nursery section, we are ready to teach them how to read and write. Parents should endeavour to send their wards to school immediately, now that schools have resumed,” she urged.
Students in schools visited expressed gratitude to their parents for investing in their education, pledging not to disappoint them.
Parents and guardians also commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for directing that younger students be allowed to use their elder siblings’ books and that workbooks no longer be written into, so they could be passed down.
One parent, Mrs Tobias, remarked that such a directive made him “a governor who identifies with the sufferings of the common man and has only good intentions for his wards.”