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Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has stated that, it is aware a few parents have shown some concern about the inevitable increase in boarding fees in the State model colleges.
Recall some parents of Lagos model colleges had expressed total disappointment in the State Government for increasing the boarding fee of the students from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, describing the action as an act of wickedness.
But the ministry in a statement released Monday, said the move has not been an easy decision to make.
The Ministry in the release, reassures all parents, that the welfare of their Children remains a top priority, noting that the 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.
The Statement also explained that enrolment of 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 statement below;
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.
