Lagos State Government Clarifies Increase in Boarding Fees for Model Colleges, Aims to Improve Students’ Welfare.

The Lagos State Government has clarified the reasoning behind the increase in boarding fees in its model colleges, citing the need to ensure better welfare for students.

This new fee, set at N100,000 per term, will take effect in the 2024/2025 academic session, replacing the previous fee of N35,000.

In a statement released on Monday by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Ganiu Lawal, explained that the fee adjustment was necessary due to rising costs, including food, fuel, and other operational expenses.

He added that the previous N35,000 fee, which was set in 2021, is no longer sufficient to cover the expenses of running boarding facilities in 2024, he said.

Lawal emphasized that boarding students represent less than 1% of the total student population in Lagos public schools and that the new fees would support student welfare, especially in terms of feeding and accommodation.

“The boarding fee is paid every term and is used for feeding, janitorial services, and other costs associated with maintaining the hostels,” Lawal explained.

The statement further highlighted that students in Lagos State model colleges enjoy free education, including access to infrastructure, technology, and security, while the government covers terminal examination fees like WAEC.

However, the cost of boarding, particularly feeding, required a revision, as the current N35,000 per term is insufficient for feeding children aged 12 to 18 for three months.

Lawal assured parents that the new fee was still relatively affordable compared to boarding fees in federal and other state schools.

The announcement followed protests from some parents, who described the fee increase as “outrageous” given current economic conditions.

Nonetheless, the Ministry urged parents to understand the necessity of the fee hike for the sake of their children’s welfare.

The Lagos State Government provides free education in over 1,000 primary schools, 369 junior secondary schools, and 329 senior secondary schools, including 32 model colleges that operate as boarding schools.