Charterhouse, a prestigious British private school, has issued a response amidst recent criticisms and condemnations from Nigerians regarding the reported N42 million annual school fees for primary school students and N2 million non-refundable registration fee.
The exorbitant fees sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, who deemed them excessive and impractical considering the economic challenges in Nigeria, where many struggle with poverty and the minimum wage is just N30,000 per month.
While some Nigerians voiced concerns over the fees on social media platforms, particularly X (previously Twitter), arguing that parents are not obligated to enroll their children in such an expensive institution, Charterhouse maintains that it was unaware of the public outcry regarding its fees.
The institution asserts that individuals have the right to express their opinions and concerns about fees and other relevant matters. However, it notes that parents who choose to enroll their children at Charterhouse have not voiced complaints.
In an interview with Tribune Online, Mr. Damilola Olatunbosun, the school’s Director of Communications, Admissions, and Marketing, elaborated on the rationale behind the school’s fee structure.
He said, “Charterhouse is not just like every other school anywhere globally but a prestigious and value-driven world-class educational institution that parents, who love quality and second to none education will always want their children to be.”
“Some parents are here in Nigeria and some based abroad. And they know the quality of education we will give to their children. It is about value and not whether the fees is high or not.
“They know it will cost them more if they are to send their children abroad and get the same quality and value we will give them here in Nigeria. The foreign exchange and the associated costs as well as nearness.
“Even though, we are yet to commence academic activities and we have not also done with our construction works, no school in Nigeria has the facilities we have already put in place.
“And it is not all about physical structures in Charterhouse, but also about quality, both academic and extra-curriculum, and value for our learners.
“Schooling in Charterhouse Lagos will be the same as in Charterhouse UK or any other high-profile UK-based school. The only difference is that the Chaterhouse here will be immersed in the Nigerian culture thereby giving our students the best of British education in a multicultural environment.
“So, we are not just any other school, and many prominent Nigerians, who are either products of Charterhouse or have any of their children or relations attended the school in the UK are very glad that Charterhouse is now here in Lagos Nigeria.
“Even here in Lagos, there are some schools, for example, that charge in millions of Naira per annum while some in hundreds of thousands and yet some others charge something lesser.
“So, it is now left for parents to decide which one to enrol their children based on the value they want and their purse.
“We are building on 70 hectares of land in Lekki and it will cost us over $150 million at completion and that is why we are very sure that by the time we are done, people will appreciate us better.”
Olatunbosun further elaborated that while the original plan was to open the primary school section doors for its inaugural batch of pupils in September, followed by junior secondary school students in 2026 and senior school students two years later, the school has decided to advance the second batch to 2025 based on parents’ demand.
“So, those who prioritize quality education and are familiar with Charterhouse understand why their children must attend our school.”
When questioned about whether the school had anticipated significant patronage from the outset, he affirmed, saying, “We understood that many Nigerians value quality education and those with the means would be willing to invest in it.
“So, to us, the substantial patronage we have received thus far is not surprising.”
Regarding the possibility of adjusting the fees downward in response to widespread criticism, the school’s spokesperson stressed that parents who choose to enroll their children understand that quality education comes at a cost.
According to him, “education is like somebody who is hungry and wants to take lunch and go to a restaurant where a plate of food is N5,000 and another go elsewhere to take the same size of food at just N2,000 and yet another go elsewhere where he or she will get it for N15,000 or more.
“Though the food may look alike, their value will never be the same.
“So, it is about providing value for money and that is what we do at Charterhouse.”
