Lagos State Defends School Fee Hike Amid Parent Protests

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has addressed the dissenting views from parents regarding the recent increase in boarding school fees. The Ministry emphasized that the decision was necessary to ensure the welfare of students in model colleges.

The government highlighted its commitment to providing free education across the state, with numerous primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools, including 32 model colleges, benefiting from this policy.

The Ministry argued that the previous boarding fee of N35,000, set in 2021, is no longer realistic in 2024. They stressed the importance of nutritious food for both physical growth and mental alertness, stating that the government is responsible for the health and well-being of students while in school.

In response to the fee hike, parents of boarding students at Eva Adelaja Girls Grammar School in Bariga, Lagos State, protested the increase from N35,000 to N100,000, an increment of about 186%. They demanded an immediate reversal of the decision.