More parents return wards to day care, private classes as school fees hit rooftop

Pupils going to school

A few years back, parents enrolled their children of one to three years of age in ‘Jeleosimi’ day care centres, since they sleep throughout the day learning little or nothing.

Jeleosimi is a Yoruba term meaning, ‘ let the household have peace’.It describes a school meant for little children between ages one to five, where little fees are paid to teach and keep the children busy till 1 p.m.

Only a few well-to-do take their children to schools where they offer day care or creche services.
But as time went on, both the rich and average status parents started enrolling their children in such private primary schools.

Most of the parents used this to spite their tenants, co-workers while others use this to flaunt their wealth.

Economy&Lifestyle discovered that the state of the economy which has continued to send blows to households with low purchasing power has made more parents return their wards of one to three years to daycare, private classes (Jelesimi) as school fees skyrocket.

The worst hit are parents with two to three children within such an age range.

Most private primary schools have increased their enrollment fees for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten class, with the lowest fees reaching N200,000 and the highest over N900,000.

“I had to take my child to a Jelesimi lesson in the next street where they accept N20,000 per term.
“What does a two year-old child learn in school if it is not because of my business.
“I’L go and pick him up at 3 p.m because that is when I close from work.
“These schools are just milking parents.

“Many people are doing the same thing I did.

“Most residents in my area take their children there and it was because of their recommendation I decided to give it a trial.