What Parents Should Know Before Enrolling Children In Public Schools

Preparing a child for public school goes beyond securing admission, as parents must also consider the requirements, learning materials and other expenses associated with the academic journey.

For families in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), understanding these responsibilities early can make school preparation easier and help them plan adequately for their children’s educational needs.

While basic education in public schools is tuition-free under Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education (UBE) policy, families may still need to provide uniforms, school bags, exercise books and other learning materials, alongside contributions towards certain school activities.

For parents with several school-age children, knowing what to expect before resumption can help them manage expenses and ensure their children settle into school without unnecessary difficulties.

In the FCT, the Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), which oversees public primary and junior secondary schools, maintains that tuition is free in accordance with the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act of 2004.

In a correspondence dated 8 May 2026, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, Lady Florence Dawon Wenegieme, reiterated the Board’s position while explaining the role of parents in supporting school activities.

She said: “The FCT Universal Basic Education Board has no mandate to charge fees in public schools in line with the UBE Act 2004 that says ‘Education is free and compulsory’.”

However, preparing a child for school involves more than tuition. Parents may need to provide uniforms, school shoes, bags, exercise books and other learning materials.

Depending on the school, there may also be contributions towards examination administration, utilities, extracurricular activities and digital academic services.

Wenegieme said that the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), FCT chapter, had developed a framework for PTA sundry charges to support the day-to-day running of schools.

“The FCT chapter of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), as a major stakeholder, resolved and came up with a template called PTA Sundry Charges to enable the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of schools for the sake of their children,” she said.

The arrangement underscores the importance of communication between parents and school administrators. By participating in PTA meetings, parents can obtain information about school needs, seek clarification on contributions and understand how decisions affecting their children’s education are made.

For families preparing to enrol children, one of the first steps is to obtain accurate information about admission requirements directly from the school.

These may include a birth certificate, previous school records, a primary school leaving certificate, passport photographs and other documents relevant to the level of admission.

Parents seeking admission into junior secondary school should confirm the documents required for the transition from primary education and ensure that their children’s academic records are complete.

They should also ask about registration procedures, resumption dates, recommended textbooks and orientation activities for new students.

Keeping copies of important documents and receipts relating to school transactions can help parents follow up on admission matters and resolve misunderstandings.

Where any requirement is unclear, speaking directly with the school administration can help families make informed decisions.

Parents are also encouraged to plan for school-related expenses before the beginning of each academic session. Preparing a checklist of essential items can help them prioritise purchases and avoid last-minute pressure.

Some learning materials may be reused if they remain in good condition, while purchasing stationery in bulk may help reduce expenses. Families with several school-age children may also benefit from planning purchases early and spreading some costs over time.

According to documents obtained by LEADERSHIP from the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) and the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), approved sundry charges and contributions apply to pupils in public primary and junior secondary schools across the territory.

In a letter dated 8 May 2026, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, Lady Florence Dawon Wenegieme, said the Board had no mandate to charge tuition fees in public schools under the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, 2004.

She, however, explained that NAPTAN had developed a template for sundry charges to support the day-to-day running of schools.

“However, it is pertinent to note that the FCT chapter of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), as a major stakeholder, resolved and came up with a template called PTA Sundry Charges to enable the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of schools for the sake of their children,” Wenegieme stated.

She added that while the sundry charges were uniform across FCT schools, PTA levies varied according to the projects being undertaken by individual schools. The Board, she said, ensured that the agreed charges were not exceeded.

A breakdown of the approved charges shows that junior secondary school students are expected to pay over N8000 in PTA sundry charges, while uniforms, including school wears, cardigans and sportswear, cost an additional N13,500.

Students in their final year of junior secondary school also face examination-related charges of over N10,000 for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), covering registration, logistics, examination codes, certificates and result processing.

For primary schools, approved PTA-related charges total N2,600, while uniforms cost N6,500. Other school-related expenses, including online registration, photographs and result processing, amount to other certain charges.

Meanwhile, a separate NAPT document following its congress meeting of 15 May 2025 showed that the annual access fee for the PLOVTECH Solution platform, used for managing students’ academic records, was increased from N500 to N1,500 per session, payable at N500 per term. The association said the adjustment was necessary to support the digital management of students’ records.

The approved charges provide a framework for contributions towards school administration and related services, while the FCT-UBEB maintains that tuition remains free in public primary and junior secondary schools.