LASG defends boarding school fee hike amidst parents protest
September 16, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has addressed concerns raised by parents over the recent increase in boarding fees in state model colleges.
In a statement released today, the Ministry acknowledged the worries of parents but emphasized that the welfare of students remains a top priority.
The Ministry explained that the increase in boarding fees is necessary to ensure better welfare for students in model colleges, who make up only 1% of the state’s basic and secondary school population.
The fees cover essential costs such as feeding, janitorial services, and energy expenses.
The statement noted that the previous boarding fee of #35,000, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer realistic in 2024.
According to the release “we are aware that few parents have shown some concern about the inevitable increase in boarding fees in the State model colleges. Which, obviously has not been an easy decision to make.
“Lagos State Government continues to provide free education in 1,021 Primary schools, 369 Junior Secondary and 329 Senior Secondary schools which include the 32 model colleges across the State, which are Boarding Schools, except, Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.
“A child into a Boarding School is an individual choice of every parent, and as such, they are expected to pay boarding fees at the beginning of every school term.
“It noted that the boarding fees is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other cost-related miscellaneous to keep the Students in the hostels per term. The Schools from this fees, also take care of energy costs of fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing meals for boarding Students.
“The concern of ensuring better welfare for our model college students, who are about one per cent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the State, necessitated the increase in boarding fees.
“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices) provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees (LASG pays WAEC fees for all public school students).
“The #35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 are not realistic in 2024. Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with 35,000 for three months. Noting that a comparative analysis of Federal and State public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows that the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate of the reviewed rate despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses.
“Nutritious food is not just for physical growth but also mental alertness. The Ministry certainly don’t want our students in boarding schools to look gaunt and lack the skill of critical thinking.
“The government takes responsibility for the health and well-being of the students while in school. To do this will require the full cooperation of all stakeholders. Our parents should show understanding for the sake of the children”.
The Ministry assured parents that the reviewed rate is still considerate compared to other federal and state public schools with boarding facilities.
The Government appealed to parents to show understanding and cooperate to ensure the health and well-being of students while in school. The statement concluded by emphasizing that nutritious food is essential for physical growth and mental alertness, and the government takes responsibility for the students’ well-being.