Parents and school authorities in Ebonyi State have attributed the low turnout of pupils for the new term to severe economic difficulties.

The sharp rise in petrol prices has driven up transportation costs and the prices of educational materials and staple foods, leaving many families struggling to meet basic needs. Schools in Abakaliki are seeing lower enrollment and fee payments compared to previous terms.

Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, addressed the issue, noting that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration is the first in the Southeast to implement the National Minimum Wage. Okpor highlighted the government’s efforts to alleviate economic strain through wage increases and various empowerment programs aimed at supporting citizens, including market women, civil servants, and youths.

Despite these measures, challenges persist, with individuals like Mrs. Jacinta Ifeanyi struggling to send all her children back to school. Social commentators and school officials are urging the prompt implementation of the new minimum wage and related measures to address the financial burdens faced by working-class parents.