Royal Family Academy Abuja Deployed Police to Chase Parents After Increasing School fees by 50%

In the heart of Abuja, at the Royal Family Academy, a stir of discontent brews among parents. They accuse the school's management of dismissing their concerns and resorting to intimidation when they sought to voice their grievances on the premises. The catalyst for this protest was the unilateral decision to hike tuition fees by a staggering 50 percent, despite prior objections.

On the slated day of protest, the school's grounds resembled a fortress, guarded by a contingent of security personnel including police officers and members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Their mission: thwart any attempt at protest.

A parent, choosing anonymity, expressed astonishment at the school's heavy-handed approach. "Instead of fostering peaceful dialogue with us, the stakeholders, they chose to deploy security forces to deter us," the parent shared. "Many of us gathered as early as 7 am, eager to join the protest, but were thwarted by the presence of security agents."

"Some pastors at the school's entrance assured us that someone would address us that Monday, but after a four-hour wait, no school official appeared. It was a clear indication that negotiation wasn't their priority. This was reiterated four times. We felt marginalized that day. All they needed to say was that they'd consider our concerns."

According to the source, the protest became inevitable when it seemed the school was unwavering in its resolve to implement the 50 percent fee hike. "At the close of the last session in July, parents received a letter announcing the intended fee increase, which we vehemently opposed," another concerned parent divulged. "The Parents Teachers Progressive Forum (PTPF) executives negotiated with the school on our behalf, proposing a 25 percent increase, to which the school assented. This was the agreement, yet they went ahead with a 50 percent hike."

"They also augmented the development levy from N100,000 to N300,000 for new entrants. Sports and health insurance levies were introduced, previously not part of the bill. Additionally, they billed us for ICT certification, a fee we've been paying for over three years, yet my kids haven't received any ICT training. They merely play games in the school lab. Parents were aware but remained silent. It's the exorbitant increment that finally spurred us to action."

A mother with a child in Grade Two at the Royal Family Academy shared her frustration at the futile attempt to protest the fee increase. "Parents were present from 7 a.m. until noon, yet no one addressed us. It made me wonder why a school would refuse dialogue with its customers—parents—and outright deny them entry. What kind of authority is that?"

She emphasized the necessity of the protest, as her child's fees skyrocketed from N288,000 to N577,000.

Another parent, whose daughter had been enrolled for over a decade, revealed that the school's stance had escalated to hostility. In the aftermath of the thwarted protest, security guards employed by the school prevented three parents from engaging in lengthy conversations after dropping off their children.

"The school director openly states that anyone dissatisfied with the hike can take their kids elsewhere," said the fourth parent. "This dismissal of parents' concerns has left many feeling slighted. While we acknowledge the economic challenges we all face, the fee increase is deemed excessive and unacceptable."

Efforts to obtain a statement from Amina Mshelia, a director at the school, proved fruitless as she declined to comment over the phone. "This is not a matter for discussion over the phone. Please, send an email instead," she requested before ending the call. FIJ subsequently reached out via email for comments, but as of press time, no response had been received.