Parents decry high cost of snacks for school children

Some parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the rising cost of snacks and juice for school children.

The respondents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, unanimously described the situation as worrisome.

A civil servant, Mrs Queenet Okoro, said the uncontrolled rise in prices of nibbles had started taking a toll on parents, many of whom could no longer afford what their children loved.

According to her, many of the children who love going to school with different snacks and flavours of juice are now forced to go without their favourites.

“These snacks and juices are going so high that some of us can no longer afford them every day. As it is, I no longer give my children snacks to school,” she said.

Okoro, therefore, called on the government to address the situation as it was getting out of hand.

A trader in biscuits and snacks at Nyanga Market, Mr Adewale Shola, said he had started losing interest in the business.

“There is no gain in the business again as the rate at which things are increasing is no longer bearable; things are getting worse every day.

“The small size of Nutri-milk pack is now N4,200, and this was something we sold between N2,100 and N2,300 in 2023.

“Also, a Capri-Sun pack was sold at the price of N3,500 and N3,600 but today, we are selling the pack at the rate of N6,500 and N7,000.

“Sometimes, I get confused because if things continue to rise this way, I wonder how Nigerians will survive the situation,” he said.

A teacher, Mr Daniel Akpakor, affirmed the inability of most parents to afford snacks and drinks for their children because of the harsh economy.

“I have discovered that some of the students don’t even eat in the morning before coming to school.

“Some will not come to school with snacks, juice, or even food because their parents cannot afford them.

“The situation is too painful as some students will be sleeping in the class when lectures are going on.

“Some will learn for a very short time, and they will be looking weak because they are already hungry,” he said.

He attributed the situation to the removal of fuel subsidy, which increased the cost of transporting items to cities thus affecting the prices of goods in the markets and shops.

He, however, urged the government to address issues bordering on subsidy and insecurity for a better Nigeria.

Similarly, a financial expert, Dr Emmanuel Onah, called on the Federal Government (FG) to urgently do the needful to restore the nation’s economic stability.

Onah, who said the situation was already affecting unborn babies, wondered how young couples with children were coping with the situation.

According to him, such couples should be supported for largely bearing the brunt. (NAN)