Nigeria, Oct. 20 -- Five weeks after the new academic session began in Nasarawa State, some pupils and students are yet to return to the classroom due to economic hardship and rising school fees.

In Lafia, the state capital, several school-age children were seen on the streets in the early morning hours on Monday when they were supposed to be attending classes.

Some parents attributed the situation to the prevailing economic challenges, saying they found it increasingly difficult to meet their children's educational needs, particularly the payment of school fees.

It was also observed that some schools had increased their fees by more than 30 per cent, further worsening the financial burden on parents, especially during the first term w...