Parents lament over boarding fee hike in technical schools

Parents of students in Delta State-owned Technical schools have lamented the nearly 200 percent increase in boarding fees.

The parents, who expressed their concerns, while citing financial hardship questioned the justification for the sharp hike, especially when Federal Government Colleges, some private schools as well as the Delta State-owned model secondary schools charge far less.

They also appealed to the state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to review the recent increase in boarding fees from ₦85,000 to ₦250,000 per term.

In an open appeal, the parents asked the governor to clarify whether the fee increase was approved by his office or implemented by the Ministry of Technical Education without his consent.

They also pointed out that the state-owned government model secondary schools and colleges charge N60,000 while some private schools in the state capital, Asaba, charge ₦150,000, while similar schools in Lagos charge around ₦100,000 as boarding fees.

A teacher from Ofagbe Technical School, speaking anonymously, noted that the annual fee for junior and senior classes rose from N1,850 to N3,400, along with an additional compulsory N15,000 for medical and administrative charges.

He also noted that parents are struggling to meet these new financial demands, leading many to withdraw their children from school.

The teacher lamented that this situation disproportionately affects poorer families, who are already facing economic hardships.

He added that although Delta State is supposed to provide free education in line with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) guidelines, the recent fee hikes contradicts this promise, even as students are forced to pay for textbooks and medical services.

According to him, the unfortunate situation has led to a decline in enrolment numbers as families opt for other public secondary schools with lower fees, which range from N1,700 to N2,700.

Also, a recent circular from the Ministry of Technical Education, dated September 17, 2024, has sparked concern over increased levies for students in government technical schools.

While some fees align with those approved for public secondary schools, some stakeholders are questioning specific charges, particularly for students in JSS 1-3 and Pre-Vocational classes. These include a N2,000 administrative charge, a N3,000 medical fee introduced last academic year, a termly sports levy, and the mandatory purchase of Mathematics and English textbooks solely from the school.
Parents and stakeholders argue that these fees contravene the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act of 2004, which exempts students in the Basic Education Cohort from paying for government-provided services.

A parent of a female student who gained admission to the school has decided to opt for a public model secondary school in Warri with boarding facilities. She cited lower fees and essential amenities as key reasons for her choice.

She questioned why she should pay N250,000 for boarding when the school’s resources seemed inadequate while expressing frustration over the Ministry’s failure to ensure the schools are functioning properly despite significant investments in its infrastructure.
The parents also questioned why the Ministry of Technical Education continues to admit new students despite the existing lack of space and facilities to accommodate them.

They urged the governor to intervene, fearing that they are more focused on increasing revenue than providing quality education as the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is not left out in this revenue drive by conducting supplementary entrance examinations into the state model schools whereas most of the classrooms in the schools are already overcrowded.

Adding to their concerns, the parents highlighted a policy that forces students in the various technical schools who fail their promotion examination to leave the school without giving them the opportunity to repeat the classes. Many see this as an unfair practice, particularly in an environment that is not conducive to learning.

Meanwhile, the recent policy change by the Ministry of Technical Education mandating entrance exams for all technical schools, including the six conventional ones, has created significant barriers for prospective students. Previously, these conventional schools accepted students without an entrance exam, making them accessible to a broader demographic.

With the entrance exam requirement, many students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds who struggle with funding, are unable to compete for admission. This situation has forced them to continue in regular public secondary schools, potentially limiting their vocational training opportunities and future career prospects.