Boarding Fees Review In Model Colleges Inevitable – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State Government (LASG) says increase in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable, to ensure better welfare of the students.

Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, said this in a statement made available on Monday.

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 News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government 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 session resuming on Sept. 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 took 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.