Anambra, How affordable is schooling now?

                                        
Christy Eke, is a petty trader and a mother of four. Just like any parent, it is her desire to give her children the best education and to any level they so wish.
MrsEke, has a child who is due for secondary school but because of her meager income she cannot afford the fees of the school he desires for the child to attend and finally she settles for the available because the desirable was far above her reach.
Still within the available which is not too expensive Eke, complains that the school authority keeps demanding money for one thing or the other from pupils.
“I thought that after making the necessary payment which takes care of everything why is it that they keep demanding for funds for one thing or the other”, she lamented.
She informed that some parents there are some parents with low income who want to give their children the best when it comes to education but because the fund is not available they settle for less expensive school or their children do not go to all adding that in recent times schooling has become so expensive and some parents find it difficult to send their children to school be it primary, secondary or tertiary.
They say the best things in life come for free, well, not when we are talking about education. It was also said that the only constant thing in this world is change, which is true if we are talking about tuition fee.
A look at some of the school fees being paid at different levels of education by parents in different parts of the country shows how expensive schooling can be. Some private primary schools charge between #20,000.0 to #100,000.00, private secondary schools between #200,000.00 to #500,000.00 and private tertiary schools charge up #500,000.00 all these depend on infrastructure and equipment. With these fees parents live up to the obligation of paying the amount. However, government schools from primary to tertiary charge fees which parents can afford yet some parents cannot send their children to school.
Some people prefer to educate their children privately from primary to university level. Schools are been built and tertiary schools’ courses are being accredited all the time to keep up with rapid population growth and large scale migration to the urban areas. But how affordable can these schools be?
These schools that spring up are mostly private owned and a good number seen in the primary and secondary levels of schooling complement public schools to give desired education.
As the economy bites hard affecting all facets of life parents bemoan cost of education in the country from primary to tertiary level.
For most people education not only predicts better health, greater confidence and stronger communities, but also represents the only escape from a life of systemic poverty. Although all levels of education are impactful, but unfortunately, school can be staggeringly expensive for children and youth whose families carry the weight of financial hardship.
Commenting on the issue, a teacher Kate Chikwe, noted that quality education equals more expensive education. She observed that education in Nigeria starting from primary to tertiary is very expensive and the type of school the person wants and income play important roles.
According to her every parent researching on school has the same objective to find out the school that best suits their child and one that will help the child reach his or her potential.
Contributing, a parent EhiOrukpe, recalled that after the amalgamation of the North and South province though education was in the hands of the colonial masters there were few schools and people could afford it.
He noted that there was decorum and good orientation from primary to tertiary schools and teachers had good conduct instilled in them.
Orukpe, opined that there are many schools in recent times all competing for patronage and parents have the option to send their children to the less expensive one or expensive school but quality and function should not be slaughtered on the altar of expense.
Also speaking a student teacher Chika Njoku,  informed that for a person to be educated in the formal education method one has to cope with what is involved whether tuition or otherwise. In her words “ there is no denying that in order for someone to be assured of high quality education, the individual should be prepared to pay. It is worthy to note that school expenses are going up every year, which means tuition and other school fees could increase as one stays longer in school”, Njoku harped.
Contributing ,IsokenAgboson, a 300 level student University of Nigeria, opined that schooling is expensive no matter the level of education one is undergoing. She informed that what is important for people to acquire basic skill in reading and writing.

Anambra govt partners Thailand on education
Anambra State government has commended the Kingdom of Thailand for its interest in the state education sector saying that the partnership between them would help reinvigorate the sector.
Making this known he received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand ChailetLimsomboon, Governor Willie Obiano, informed that the visit was the beginning of business relations and partnership between Anambra State and the Kingdom of Thailand.
Chief Obiano, represented by his Chief of Staff Joe Asike revealed that the Ambassador’s visit was as a result of the Thai- Anambra Business Summit held early this year when an enlarged Thai delegation visited the state.
Governor Obiano, assured them of his administration’s commitment to the actualization of their programme expressed hope that the partnership would open up more opportunities for the people of the state and Thailand.
Earlier in his remarks the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand ChailertLimsomboon, said that they were in the state to seek areas of cooperation in education.
Limsomboon, disclosed that the Kingdom of Thailand was interested in African initiative on education and expressed optimism that the discussions and deliberations would be fruitful and of immense benefit to both partners.
Contributing, Commissioner for Education Kate Omenugha, hinted that the visit was to ensure children are given education which is globally competitive.
Prof Omenugha, maintained that the state government through Ministry of Education was working hard towards given Anambra children the best form of education at all times.
While informing that the governor was interested in education especially vocational and technical education, she lamented that technical colleges in the state were yet to attain the expected standard.
She reaffirmed that the collaboration  which took selected Anambra teachers to Singapore to train in technical subjects were geared towards resuscitating technical education in the state.
By Stella Obi