Babatunji Wusu –
- The increase in party fees for school children has been driven by rising costs of goods and services.
- Many parents, already burdened with Christmas expenses, school accessories, and next term’s fees, have opted out of this year’s school parties.
- Some schools increased fees by over 50%, leading to a decline in attendance.
- While some schools have attempted to reduce costs, others still faced poor attendance due to high fees.
As the end of the year approaches, schools typically celebrate with end-of-year parties, a time to recognize the achievements of students, staff, and the school community. These celebrations often involve modest fees, used to cover expenses such as food, drinks, and gifts. However, due to the rising cost of goods and services, many schools have significantly increased their party fees this year, burdening already strained parents.
Economy&Lifestyle discovered that many families, already stretched by Christmas costs, school accessories, and upcoming term fees, have opted to skip this year’s parties. Even students themselves have shown little interest, with many choosing not to attend after noticing that fewer children were paying.
For example, Mrs. Folakemi Ifaleke, a banker, expressed frustration over the sharp increase in party fees from N5,000 to N15,000 per child, especially as she has three children in the same school. She explained that her sons chose to forgo the party in favor of Christmas clothes, acknowledging that many other pupils also didn’t attend due to the high cost.
Mr. Jerry Nwokoma, a motor parts trader, shared similar concerns, revealing that his children’s school charged N20,000 per child for the party, with secondary school students paying N25,000 each. With four children in the school, this amounted to N90,000—an amount he found unreasonable for a school party. He promised an outing for his children instead, noting that only a few students had paid in advance, indicating widespread reluctance to spend on such events.
On the other hand, some schools have responded by cutting costs. Mrs. Chisom Akpota, a teacher, explained that her school reduced the party fee from N5,000 to N3,000 per child. Despite the reduction, only 20 out of 70 pupils paid. The school adapted by presenting gifts to top performers during assembly and providing snacks and soft drinks, which the children enjoyed. Some schools, however, chose not to hold a party due to the lack of participation.
While many parents and teachers understand the necessity of keeping costs reasonable, some school proprietors like Mrs. Omosefunmi Grace, a school owner, noted that higher fees were sometimes required to meet rising expenses. She acknowledged the financial strain on parents but pointed out that parents would complain if the quality of the gifts did not align with the fee paid.
The situation highlights how rising costs are forcing both parents and schools to reassess how much they are willing to spend on end-of-year celebrations, reflecting a broader trend of cost-cutting during difficult financial times.
