Atiku, Obi Fault FG After WAEC, NECO Fee Hike Suspension

Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have welcomed the Federal Government’s suspension of the planned WAEC and NECO registration fee increase, but both opposition figures said the proposal should not have reached the point of public backlash.

NaijaTrend earlier reported the government’s suspension of the proposed examination fee review here. The Ministry of Education withdrew its June 18 letter on the proposed adjustment and said wider consultation would follow.

Vanguard reported that Atiku and Obi described the reversal as a relief for parents and students. The proposed adjustment had drawn criticism because it would have raised the cost of public senior secondary examinations at a time many households are under pressure.

Punch separately reported that Obi welcomed the suspension but said education should not be treated mainly as a revenue source. He argued that the government should focus on making schooling easier for families.

Punch also reported that Atiku criticised the handling of the policy, saying the reversal showed poor planning and inadequate consultation before the proposal was issued. He said public pressure should not have been required before the government reconsidered the move.

The reactions keep the education-fee debate in the political spotlight, even after the government suspended the proposed increase.

Sources: Vanguard, Punch