Lagos parents protest 200% boarding fee hike in model colleges, allege corruption

Parents of students attending Lagos Model Colleges have voiced strong opposition to the recent 200% increase in boarding fees, accusing the Lagos State Ministry of Education of corruption and insensitivity.

The boarding fee was raised from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, sparking outrage among parents who are now threatening to keep their children at home until the hike is reversed.

The Chairman of the Parents’ Forum of Lagos Model Colleges, Surveyor Dapo Dawodu, expressed the parents’ concerns during a meeting on Saturday. In a letter addressed to the parents, Dawodu described the fee increase as “mindless” and “provocative,” alleging that corrupt officials within the Lagos State Ministry of Education were behind the decision.

The letter, dated September 14, 2024, and titled “Re: Increment in Fees,” stated:
“In the last 24 hours, we have witnessed an avalanche of disdain, anguish, and frustration at the mindless and provocative 200% increase in boarding fees for our children, imposed by the corrupt officers of the Lagos State Ministry of Education! It is unfortunate that the unbridled greed of these enemies of the good people of Lagos State was facilitated by the ministry’s leadership.”

The letter further criticised the ministry’s handling of the school’s budget, claiming that the fee of N100,000 per term in a school of 1,000 students translates to N100 million for the principal to feed the children for just three months. It also noted that similar tasks were previously accomplished with N35 million.

“In a school of 500 students, a principal now wants to spend N50 million for an exercise that used to cost below N17.5 million, paid by parents. If our Honourable Commissioner is not scandalised by this, we parents find it exceedingly offensive!” the letter added.

The Parents’ Forum also called on the Lagos State Ministry of Education to revisit their proposed feeding and welfare scheme for the students, which they claim the ministry has yet to implement despite being presented in February 2024.

The letter continued, “Lagos State prides itself on a free education policy, which should not exclude the boarding programme. Parents of boarding students have shown understanding with past governments when the state’s finances were strained. However, with the current government receiving over 350% more funding, boosted by the removal of subsidies, we find it unacceptable that parents are now subjected to further hardship through this unnecessary fee hike.”

In response to the fee increase, the Parents’ Forum has asked all parents to keep their children at home starting from Sunday, September 15, 2024, until the fee is reversed. The letter stressed, “After considering your concerns, we agree that to avoid swallowing this unjust bait from the government—especially given that some principals have threatened not to allow our children into the boarding houses without the payment of N100,000—we have no option but to ask parents to keep their children at home tomorrow, Sunday 15th until this unreasonable decision by the ministry is FULLY REVERSED! NO REVERSAL, NO RESUMPTION!”

On Friday, September 13, 2024, the Lagos State Government officially increased boarding fees in all secondary schools. A letter from the Director of Basic Education Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Olufemi Asaolu, confirmed the new fee structure, stating: “The State Government has approved the review of the boarding fee payable in all public boarding schools. The newly approved fee is N100,000 only.”