Lagos Govt defends hike in boarding fee for model colleges

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has defended the recent increase in boarding fees for model colleges from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.

In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said the move was necessary to ensure better welfare for students in the state’s model colleges.

The statement read: “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 government explained that the boarding fees cover feeding, janitorial services, and other miscellaneous costs. “The N35,000 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,” the statement added.

The government assured parents that the reviewed rate is still considerate, despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses.

“Nutritious food is not just for physical growth but also mental alertness. 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 statement said.

The government also noted that the enrollment of students in boarding schools is an individual choice, and parents are expected to pay 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 statement added.