There’s been a significant decrease in attendance at both public and private schools in Ogun State due to the recent increase in transportation costs caused by fuel scarcity.
Saving Point Media conducted visits to several public schools in Abeokuta and found that only sixty percent of public school students returned to school on Monday.
Conversations with anonymous teachers revealed that many students chose to stay home because of the heightened transportation expenses.
Reports indicate that this decline in student attendance isn’t exclusive to public schools but also affects private schools, with numerous students seen roaming the streets during school hours.
Saving Point Media’s observations in Abeokuta confirm the surge in transport fares.
For example, the usual N100/N200 fare from Fajor to Asero, Abiola Way, and Adatan has increased to N300, with some charging as high as N400.
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Commercial motorcyclists who spoke with our correspondent expressed a preference for shorter distances due to the increased fuel consumption on longer routes, which passengers are unwilling to pay for.
Commercial drivers operating in areas like Oke Ilewo and Panseke are charging N800 to Fajor, and motorcycles charge between N1200 to N1500.
Taxis from Okelewo to Iyana Mortuary and Sapon now charge N500, while motorcycles double their fares.
Additionally, both private and public vehicles are scarce on the roads, with many queuing at the few fuel stations selling fuel.
Furthermore, some media sources report fuel being sold at exorbitant prices, reaching as high as N1200 in the black market, while NNPC stations still sell at N650.
When asked about the sudden hike in transport fare, some commercial drivers attributed it to the challenges they faced in acquiring fuel, while others mentioned their reliance on the black market to sustain themselves.
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Furthermore, passengers interviewed by Saving Point Media stated that they now have to walk half the distance to their destinations before taking a cab because of the increased transportation costs.
Initially, public and private primary and secondary schools in Ogun State were set to resume academic activities on April 29, 2024.
In a press release, the state Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, urged parents and guardians to prepare their children for school, as academic work would commence immediately.
Arigbabu also extended best wishes for a successful new school year to all teachers, learners, and non-academic staff.
Notably, primary and secondary schools in neighboring Lagos State had resumed for the 2023/2024 Third Term Academic Session on April 22, 2024.
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