Inside driving schools

Elder Emana Ephreaim, the proprietor of Middle Sex Driving School in Uyo spoke with us on the ordeals of the business. He told us the for each student that applies for training, they could choose a training programme between one or three months. It would only cost between N30,000 to N37,000.The price ranges for the […]

Elder Emana Ephreaim, the proprietor of Middle Sex Driving School in Uyo spoke with us on the ordeals of the business.

He told us the for each student that applies for training, they could choose a training programme between one or three months. It would only cost between N30,000 to N37,000.The price ranges for the rates of the driving school vary within this range. This includes such long standing driving schools like Akamasio Driving Centres. Each day the schools run from 8am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm or 4pm to 6pm and all lectures are held on Wednesdays or any other day of the week depending on the driving school. In most driving schools we noticed the cars used for training were old Peugeot 505, 504 and in a case Mazda.

On reaching a few of the driving schools, we found the absence of students and cars were not in use. Even though Emana had claimed he had trained five students that day, there was no evidence. In addition, we found out he was using his house to carry out the training and other administrative matters. It really didn’t fit the description of a driving school that can inspire confidence.

When we asked Emana how many students they turn out in a year? He responded “we don’t keep count.”

When we asked why? With no zeal or any form of motivation he said “because we don’t have the number of students we need.”

In Akwa Ibom, most driving schools engage in radio advertisement, which is not often heard because it is also expensive for them. But the people also find even other cheaper forms of advert are not employed because the training institutions are not competitive. This concern leads us to find out how much update goes into their training manual, with advent of new technologies in transmission system and other technologies. In fact, we had to ask the driving schools we visited whether they provide training for cars with tip- tronic sequential transmission system [regularly seen in Peugeot, VW, Audi and many modern cars]. Emana turned at his instructor and asked “Have you ever heard of such thing”.

Since we could not find any student on any of the venues, we decided to look for those we could be familiari with new systems and enquired if they had been to any driving school. One Nelson Bassey said he had been to one driving school in the past, but he became frustrated for the fact that he had paid N15, 000 and achieved nothing. The  instructor never gave him a chance “to hold the steering and most of the time the instructor would stretch his legs on my own and apply the clutch. He gave me no chance to learn things on my.

Nelson adds “I don’t think I can waste money on such venture again.”

Perhaps, he joined other by getting his own instruction whenever he is ready or rather buys a car and teaches himself after watching others.