The Federal Government has clarified that private schools across the country are allowed to charge third term fees for their returning final year students.
The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba announced during the meeting with Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, on Monday.
READ ALSO: 104 unity schools ready to open for exit classes August 4, 2020 – FG
While reacting to questions regarding third term fee charges, the Minister said private schools were business ventures and not charity organisations.
He reiterated that although public schools are free, private school owners are seen as business-oriented individuals.
The Minister said; “For public institutions, we can’t tell you that we charge school fees, as most of our schools are free. Public schools are free and vary from state to state.
“But when you go into a contractual relationship with a school owner, a school owner is a passionate person but is also a business person. He or she is not running a charity organisation, they may be charitable in its approach, but it’s not charity.
“So, it’s important that you appreciate that a private school is entitled to charge fees for the work they do. The person that runs a school maybe passionate about education but will still charge fees.”
