Parents and guardians of students attending Lagos State’s Model Colleges have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state government for raising boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, an increase of 286%. They described the decision as harsh, especially given the current economic difficulties.
The Lagos State government announced the fee hike on Saturday, September 14, 2024, with the new rate taking effect from the start of the current academic term. Initially, primary and secondary school students were scheduled to resume on September 7th, but their resumption was postponed by a week to Sunday, September 15th.
The 16 model colleges across Lagos offer boarding facilities, except for Vetland Grammar School in Ifako-Ijaiye, which operates as a day school. Many parents, who had already paid the previous fees, were shocked by the sudden increase.
They criticized the government for being insensitive to their financial struggles, particularly given the rising cost of living and the claim of a free education policy. In addition to the new boarding fees, parents pointed out that students are required to bring essential supplies such as insecticides, detergent, and cleaning materials.
The chairman of the colleges’ parents’ forum, Mr. Dapo Dawodu, called the new fees unaffordable, noting that parents had previously proposed a cost-effective feeding and welfare plan to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in February, which the government has yet to challenge.
