The rising cost of educational materials is becoming a major concern for parents and education stakeholders as schools resume for the 2026/2027 academic session.
Parents and other stakeholders expressed concern in separate interviews in Abuja on Monday, September 7, saying the increasing prices of school-related items were adding to the financial pressure already created by the high cost of living.
For many families, preparing children for a new school term involves buying several items, including textbooks, exercise books, school uniforms, shoes, school bags and other learning materials. With prices continuing to rise, some parents are finding it increasingly difficult to meet all these requirements at once.
Parents face higher education costs
The beginning of a new academic session traditionally comes with significant expenses for families. However, the current economic situation means that parents may have to spend considerably more than they did in previous years.
Education-related costs can extend beyond school fees. Families may also have to pay for transportation, uniforms, books, meals and other school charges.
Stakeholders warned that the rising cost of these materials could place additional pressure on households, particularly families with several children in school.
Concern over access to learning materials
The cost of educational materials is also an important issue because students need basic resources to participate effectively in school.
When families cannot afford textbooks, writing materials or other required items, children may struggle to keep up with classroom activities.
The concern is therefore not only about household spending but also about ensuring that children have the resources they need to learn effectively.
Schools resume across Nigeria
The concerns come as schools across different parts of Nigeria begin the 2026/2027 academic session.
In Ebonyi State, for example, the government set Monday, September 7, as the resumption date for approved public, private and faith-based nursery, primary and secondary schools across the state’s 13 local government areas. Teachers and other school workers were also expected to resume on the same day, while boarding students returned to their hostels on Sunday.
The timing has increased attention on the financial burden faced by families as they prepare their children for the new session.
Need for affordable education
Education stakeholders have continued to stress the importance of keeping education accessible despite economic challenges.
The Federal Ministry of Education currently lists a number of initiatives and programmes aimed at strengthening access to education and developing skills among Nigerian students and educators.
However, the rising cost of basic school materials remains an immediate challenge for many families.
Stakeholders are calling for greater attention to the affordability of learning materials so that economic difficulties do not prevent children from getting the resources they need to succeed in school.
As the new academic year begins, parents, schools and government authorities will face the challenge of balancing the increasing cost of education with the need to keep learning accessible to Nigerian children.
