Challenging Economic Times: Educational Institutions Now Embrace Esusu-Style Payments

The era in which many schools rigidly enforced a no-fee, no-entry policy for students is a thing of the past. Such schools, especially those situated in areas with predominantly low-income populations, would quickly face closure under such stringent rules. The current economic climate can no longer sustain such uncompromising school administration policies, and most educational institutions that are attuned to the realities of their operating environment have adapted accordingly.

As we say in local terms, the prevailing situation in Nigeria requires everyone to exercise common sense. Some forward-thinking schools have done just that by introducing a method of paying school fees known as “Esusu.” While it may sound unconventional, these schools are successfully employing this approach.

“Esusu” is a local Nigerian term that refers to a thrift system. It involves low-income earners, market women, and artisans pooling their meager resources over a specified period and then collectively drawing on these funds when the amount has accumulated sufficiently to finance a project or resolve a problem.

This method of fee collection has been adopted by some schools to assist parents in managing the financial burden of tuition fees in an economy where average income earners are struggling to make ends meet. Some parents shared their experiences with Economy&Lifestyle, highlighting the challenges they face in supporting their children’s education. Fortunately, a few schools have stepped up to address these concerns.

For instance, Mrs. Met Omosefunmi, a private school teacher, described how some schools accept daily school fees payments for parents who cannot afford termly payments. In one school she worked at, they introduced the “Esusu” style of collecting school fees. Parents were provided with small cards indicating the months and days for which they were making payments. The children would bring these cards to school, and the daily amount paid was checked off. To ensure no loss of these cards, they were given back to the children when going home.

This flexible approach to fee collection is essential in an environment where economic challenges are compelling parents to explore various options for their children’s education. Without such adaptations, parents might transfer their children to public schools, as the financial constraints make private school fees unattainable. In some cases, new schools structured like public institutions offer considerably lower fees, as low as N3500 per term for primary level and N5,000 for secondary level, using the “Esusu” method.

However, it’s important to note that what works for one group may not work for all. In some states, parents may face difficulties enrolling their children in public schools without up-to-date tax clearance certificates, among other requirements.

Mrs. Ogbonna Victoria, a senior secondary school teacher, pointed out that the rising cost of education is driving parents to withdraw their children from private schools with high fees and transfer them to public schools that demand fewer financial burdens. Schools, in response to this trend, are reconsidering the “Esusu” approach after parents introduced it in Parent-Teacher Association meetings. The escalating cost of living is causing everyone, including education providers, to look for ways to reduce costs and provide more affordable options.

Mrs. Amanda Lawrence, a hairstylist, shared her experience of changing her daughter’s school due to a fee increase and the refusal to accept the “Esusu” method. Many schools now offer more flexible payment plans, allowing parents to pay multiple times in a term, similar to an “Esusu” arrangement, with legal agreements to ensure both parties are protected.

Public school teacher Mrs. Grace Ohaleke emphasized that public schools are becoming increasingly attractive to parents because they often accept the “Esusu” method and are staffed by qualified teachers. In this challenging economic climate, parents are prioritizing peace of mind and the ability to save for other expenses over societal expectations.

In summary, the adoption of the “Esusu” method for school fee payments reflects a pragmatic response to the economic challenges faced by many parents in Nigeria. This approach, while unconventional, offers a lifeline to those struggling to provide quality education for their children.