Grandmother Reportedly Brings Six Live Chickens to School as Fees Payment After Granddaughter Was Sent Home

A grandmother reportedly came up at a basic school with six live chickens as a substitute for school tuition after her granddaughter was sent home for non-payment. This heartbreaking and eye-opening episode underscores the growing economic challenges encountered by many families in Nigeria.

The incident, which took place at an undisclosed school in a rural community, has sparked widespread reactions on social media and among education stakeholders, with many praising the elderly woman’s determination and sacrifice, while others lament the broader systemic challenges faced by poor families seeking education for their children.

According to eyewitnesses, the young girl was turned away from school due to unpaid fees — a growing occurrence despite government interventions such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program. In a bid to ensure her granddaughter’s return to the classroom, the grandmother is said to have walked several kilometers to the school, carrying the chickens as payment.

“The woman was visibly distressed but determined. She told the school authorities that she didn’t have money but could offer the chickens in exchange for the fees,” a teacher at the school reported.

ALSO READ: Accra High School: Student Slaps Teacher During Heated Argument

Though the school reportedly did not accept the poultry as official payment, the act has reignited conversations about poverty, education access, and the need for schools and government agencies to be more sensitive to the plight of the underprivileged.

Many have also used the moment to call for strengthened social protection programs and support for caregivers, especially grandparents who are left to raise children in their old age due to various family circumstances.

“This is not just a touching story; it’s a wake-up call,” said a local education activist. “We need to ask ourselves whether our policies are truly reaching the most vulnerable.”

The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) has yet to officially comment on the matter, but education watchers are urging the government to take such cases seriously and ensure no child is denied access to education because of financial hardship.

As the story continues to spread, many are pledging support for the girl and her grandmother, hoping that this act of desperation will lead to meaningful interventions for struggling families across the country.

Join our WHATSAPP CHANNEL, WHATSAPP GROUP 1, WHATSAPP GROUP 2 and TELEGRAM CHANNEL to get all relevant teaching resources to make your lessons effective.

Subscribe to this blog and follow us on facebook