The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), the primary umbrella organization representing the interests of parents and educators across the federation, has formally voiced its strong disapproval regarding the systemic exclusion of parents from major education policy decisions. In a comprehensive appeal directed at the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Education, the association argued that the active inclusion of critical stakeholders is not merely a preference but a fundamental necessity for effective, sustainable, and equitable decision-making within the nation’s embattled education sector. The group maintains that as the primary financiers of their children’s education and the party most directly impacted by shifts in school costs and curricula, parents deserve a permanent seat at the table where these policies are formulated.
Speaking through its National President, Haruna Danjuma, in an exclusive dialogue, NAPTAN highlighted a growing disconnect between the government’s administrative actions and the economic realities faced by Nigerian families. Danjuma asserted that because parents shoulder the vast majority of the financial burden associated with schooling—ranging from tuition and examination fees to the provision of learning materials—they must have official, statutory representation within the decision-making bodies of key educational agencies. This demand for inclusion is centered on the belief that a top-down approach to education management, which ignores the voices of those footing the bill, leads to policies that are often out of touch with the grassroots reality of the Nigerian populace.
Historical Precedent and the Erosion of Stakeholder Inclusion
To understand the gravity of the current exclusion, it is necessary to look at the historical framework of educational governance in Nigeria. According to the NAPTAN leadership, the exclusion of parents is a relatively recent departure from established norms. During the foundational years of the association, particularly under the leadership of the late Alhaji Babs Alade Animashaun, the founder and first National President of NAPTAN, the association enjoyed a robust and collaborative relationship with the government.
In that era, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at the national level held automatic, ex-officio representation on the boards and decision-making committees of vital institutions. These included the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB). This inclusion ensured that before any significant changes were made to examination protocols, fee structures, or basic education funding models, the "parental perspective" was integrated into the deliberations. This historical model served as a check and balance, ensuring that policies were both pedagogically sound and socio-economically feasible for the average Nigerian household.
However, over the last two decades, this institutionalized involvement has gradually eroded. NAPTAN notes that boards have been reconstituted and policies rewritten in ways that have slowly sidelined the association. The result, they argue, is a series of "surprise" policy announcements that often trigger public outcry and industrial friction, which could have been avoided through prior consultation.
The Economic Context: Why Parental Representation is Crucial Now
The demand for representation comes at a time of significant economic volatility in Nigeria. With inflation reaching record highs and the removal of the fuel subsidy impacting the disposable income of millions of families, the cost of education has become a flashpoint for social stability. NAPTAN argues that when agencies like WAEC or NECO consider fee hikes, they often do so from a purely administrative or inflationary perspective without considering the "breaking point" of the Nigerian parent.
Recent events serve as a poignant example of this tension. Only recently, the Federal Government was forced to suspend proposed fee hikes for WAEC and NECO examinations following a massive public outcry. NAPTAN points to this specific incident as evidence that the current system is flawed. Had parents been involved in the initial discussions regarding these hikes, a more tempered and realistic fee structure—or a phased implementation plan—could have been negotiated behind closed doors, avoiding the need for public protests and the subsequent government U-turn.
Danjuma emphasized that education should neither be "politicized nor commercialized." The concern among parents is that without their presence on these boards, education is increasingly being viewed through a revenue-generation lens rather than as a public good. By institutionalizing parental involvement, NAPTAN believes it can help steer the focus back toward quality, affordability, and accessibility.
Deep Dive: The Specific Agencies in Question
The association has identified four primary agencies where they believe their presence is most urgently required:
- The West African Examinations Council (WAEC): As a regional body, WAEC’s decisions on exam timing, syllabus changes, and registration fees have far-reaching implications. Parents argue that as they are the ones paying the registration fees, they should have a voice in how the council manages its logistics and cost-recovery models.
- The National Examinations Council (NECO): As Nigeria’s indigenous alternative to WAEC, NECO is vital for national educational sovereignty. Representation here would ensure that the council remains responsive to the specific socio-economic challenges of Nigerian students, particularly in underserved regions.
- The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC): UBEC manages the funding and standards for primary and junior secondary education. Given that the UBE Act mandates free and compulsory basic education, parents believe they should be involved in monitoring how these funds are utilized at the school level to ensure that "free education" does not come with hidden, unauthorized costs.
- The National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB): With the national shift toward vocational and technical skills, NABTEB’s role is expanding. Parents want to ensure that technical education remains a viable and affordable pathway for youth, rather than a high-cost niche.
Proposed Framework for Institutionalized Involvement
NAPTAN is not merely asking for occasional meetings with the Minister of Education; they are calling for a formal "institutionalization" of their role. This would involve legislative or administrative amendments that reserve seats for NAPTAN representatives on the governing boards of these agencies.
The association’s proposal includes:
- Mandatory Stakeholder Consultations: A requirement that any proposed change to national examination fees or major curriculum shifts must undergo a formal review period involving NAPTAN.
- Transparency in Funding: Greater parental oversight in the utilization of the PTA levies and other school-based funds to prevent embezzlement and ensure the money directly benefits the students.
- Support for Public School Candidates: NAPTAN is doubling down on its demand that the government continue to subsidize or fully cover examination fees for candidates in public schools. They argue that in a country with a high poverty rate, the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) should not be a financial barrier that ends a child’s academic journey.
Broader Implications for the Nigerian Education System
The implications of NAPTAN’s exclusion extend beyond just financial concerns. Educational experts suggest that when parents are involved in policy, student outcomes tend to improve. Parental involvement fosters a sense of community ownership over schools, which can lead to better maintenance of facilities, reduced teacher absenteeism, and higher student discipline.
Furthermore, the "commercialization" of education that Danjuma warned against is a growing concern in the Nigerian landscape. As private schools proliferate and public schools struggle with underfunding, there is a risk of a two-tiered system where quality education is reserved for the elite. NAPTAN views itself as the "voice of the common man," ensuring that public education remains a ladder for social mobility rather than a gatekeeper of privilege.
The association’s pledge to continue supporting the Federal Ministry of Education suggests that they are seeking a partnership rather than a confrontation. However, the tone of their recent statements indicates that their patience is wearing thin. They view the recent suspension of fee hikes not as a final victory, but as a temporary reprieve that underscores the systemic need for a more collaborative governance model.
Conclusion: A Call for Dialogue and Reform
As the Federal Ministry of Education continues to navigate the complexities of reforming the sector under the current administration’s "Renewed Hope" agenda, the demands of NAPTAN present both a challenge and an opportunity. By bringing parents back into the fold, the government can gain a powerful ally in its quest to improve educational standards and school security.
The consensus among the NAPTAN leadership is clear: the era of making decisions "for parents without parents" must come to an end. The association remains committed to its mission of promoting quality, affordable, and accessible education, but it insists that this mission can only be achieved if the government recognizes parents as equal partners in the educational enterprise. The ball is now in the court of the Federal Ministry of Education to decide whether it will return to the inclusive traditions of the past or continue with a centralized approach that risks further alienating the very people it is meant to serve.
