Tuesday, September 17, 2024 -The Lagos State Government (LASG) has maintained that there is no going back on the proposed increase in the boarding fees in its model colleges.
Over the weekend, parents of boarding
students in the different model colleges in the state staged a protest kicking
against the proposed increase in school fees.
In a statement released today,
September 17, the Deputy Director, Public Affairs in the Minister of Basic and
Secondary Education, Ganiu Lawal, the state government (LASG) said the increase
in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable as it will ensure that
they are well catered for while in school.
Lawal noted that students in the
boarding schools were over one percent of the entire basic and secondary school
student population in public schools in the state.
According to Lawal, the N35,000
boarding fees being paid since 2021 is not realistic in 2024.
The Lagos State Government recently
approved the upward review of boarding fees payable in all public boarding
schools in Lagos State. The review of boarding fees in all public secondary
schools in Lagos State is with effect from 2024/2025 session.
The newly approved fee is N100,000
only and starts from the ongoing session which commenced on September 15, 2024.
“The Ministry is aware of dissenting
views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model
colleges.
This was not an easy decision, but
the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and
Secondary Education and the Lagos State Government. Since enrolment of a child
into a boarding school is an individual choice for every parent, they are
expected to pay boarding fees.
The boarding fee is paid every term
and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost
related to keeping them in the hostels per term,” Lawal said.
The ministry official explained that
the schools take care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are
essential for preparing the students’ meals.
“The model college students enjoy all
other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education
infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices). Also provision
of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees; the
state government pays WAEC fees for all public school students. Ideally, none
of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18
years with N35,000 for 3 months. 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 in spite of the incomparable cost of food and other expenses,” he
said.
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