Lagos Govt Insists on Hiking Boarding Fees of Model Schools From N35,000 to N100,000, Due To Hardship

Despite protests from parents, the Lagos State Government has maintained its decision to raise the boarding fees for its model colleges from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through its Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Ganiu Lawal, made this known to journalists on Tuesday. He said the fee hike is necessary to cover rising feeding, energy, and other expenses.

“So, the N35,000 boarding fees paid since 2021 are unrealistic in 2024. Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with 35,000 for three months”, Lawal said, alluding to Nigeria’s harsh economic realities.

“A comparative analysis of Federal and State public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses. So, our parents should show understanding for the sake of the children”, he added.

Parents of students in model colleges have, however, protested the increase. The Parents’ Forum, led by the Chairman, Dapo Dawodu, took their concerns to the Lagos State House of Assembly, which temporarily restored the old fee. The forum also proposed setting up school management committees to oversee the proper use of funds. Despite the Assembly’s temporary intervention and protests by parents, the state government has made it clear that the hike is final, with no plans for reversal. The new fee will take effect from the 2024/2025 session, which commenced on September 16, 2024.

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