King’s College Lagos PTA Rejects FG Concession Plan Over Affordability Concerns

Parent-Teacher Association of King’s College, Lagos, has opposed the proposed concession of the school to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association, warning it could increase school fees, reduce access for low-income families, and undermine public education.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued after the association’s last Annual General Meeting and jointly signed by its Chairman, Peter Oluwaleye, and Secretary, Balogun A. O.

According to the association, transferring the management of the school to the Old Boys’ Association would threaten the school’s founding principles.

The King’s College Old Boys’ Association had earlier announced that the Federal Government approved a new governance framework for the college, describing it as the beginning of a “King’s College Renaissance.”

Its President, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, however, maintained that the arrangement was neither a sale nor privatisation of the institution but a partnership with the Federal Government to restore, modernise and sustain the college.

But the PTA argued that King’s College was established to provide affordable, accessible and quality education for every Nigerian child, regardless of social or economic background, insisting that education remained a fundamental right and not a privilege for those who could afford it.

The association expressed concern that the proposed arrangement could result in increased school fees and other charges beyond the reach of many parents, forcing children from low-income families out of the institution and widening inequality in access to quality education.

The communiqué read, “The PTA strongly opposes the proposed concession of the college to a group parading themselves as KCOBs.

“The association believes that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Public schools belong to the people. King’s College, Lagos, was established to provide affordable, accessible and qualitative education for every child, regardless of family income or social background.

“Education should be within the reach of everyone. The association is deeply concerned that the proposed arrangement will surely lead to increased school fees and other charges that many parents will not be able to afford. This will ultimately force children from low-income families out of school, widening the gap between the rich and the poor and denying many children their constitutional right to education,” the communiqué further read.

While asserting that it was not opposed to private investment in education, the PTA stressed that it rejected any concession arrangement that would undermine accessibility, affordability, equity and the public interest.

It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting genuine reforms that improve educational standards while safeguarding the rights of students and preserving the public identity of King’s College.

It also faulted what it described as the “secrecy surrounding the proposal,” saying critical stakeholders, including parents, teachers and the host community, were not adequately consulted before the concession plan emerged.

The PTA maintained that decisions affecting the welfare and education of students should only be taken after broad consultation and public participation.

It further argued that if inadequate funding was the motivation behind the proposal, the challenges confronting the college should instead be addressed through “increased government funding, improved infrastructure, transparent management and stronger stakeholder engagement rather than transferring the responsibility for public education to private interests.”

According to the association, parents had consistently invested time, resources and commitment in supporting the college over the years and “were prepared to make additional sacrifices where necessary to improve the institution.”

The PTA therefore called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the proposed concession and commence genuine consultations with all stakeholders before taking any decision.

The communiqué read, “The association therefore respectfully calls on the government to immediately suspend the proposed concession and initiate genuine dialogue with all stakeholders.

“It also urges policymakers to prioritise investment in public education by providing adequate funding, modern facilities, qualified teachers and effective supervision.”

The communiqué comes days after the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria similarly opposed the reported concession of King’s College and other Federal Government Colleges, warning that handing over the schools to private entities could make them unaffordable for millions of Nigerians and threaten the jobs of teachers and other workers.