The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced that an increase in boarding fees at its model colleges is unavoidable to improve the welfare of students.
This was stated by Mr. Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in a statement released 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 current boarding fee of N35,000, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer feasible in 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Lagos State Government has approved an increase in boarding fees for all public boarding schools in the state.
The revised fee structure will take effect from the 2024/2025 academic session, with the new boarding fee set at N100,000, starting from the session beginning on September 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.
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“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 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.
“A comparative analysis of Federal and state public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate in spite of the incomparable cost of food and other expenses,” he said.
Lawal noted that nutritious food was not just for physical growth but also for mental alertness, adding that the Ministry would not want any boarding student to look gaunt or lack the skill of critical thinking.
(NAN)
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