Lagos⁣ State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Defends Boarding School Fee Review

The Lagos State Ministry of‌ Basic and Secondary Education has ⁣defended its decision to review boarding school fees at model colleges in​ the‌ state,​ citing the rising cost of⁢ providing essential services as the primary reason.

The Department for Education ⁢stated that the⁤ review was necessary‍ to ensure the wellbeing of ⁣boarding school students, as the existing fee of 35,000​ Naira per term is no longer realistic in the current economic ⁣climate.

According to the Department, the 35,000 Naira fee,⁣ which‍ has been in effect since 2021, is⁤ not sufficient to cover ‌the costs⁤ of providing meals, ‍cleaning services, and other miscellaneous expenses for students in the dorms.

A comparative analysis of federal and state public schools with boarding facilities‌ across the country has shown that the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education remains considerate of the reviewed fees despite the high costs of food and other expenses.

Free Education ⁣in Lagos State

The Lagos ‍State Government provides free education in 1,021⁤ primary‌ schools, 369 secondary schools, and 329 senior secondary ⁤schools, including 32 model schools, all of which, except ‍for the Bethland Secondary School and Senior Secondary School, are boarding schools.

Boarding Fee Structure

The Department⁣ of ⁤Education explained ‌that the boarding fee is used to cover meals, cleaning services, and ‍other miscellaneous expenses to ensure that students ‌are well‍ cared for in the dorms. It also includes energy costs such as fuel and cooking gas, ⁣which are essential ​for preparing meals for students.

According to the Department, the increase in dormitory fees was ⁣necessitated by concerns ​about the better welfare of model ⁤college students, who account for about 1⁤ percent of the total elementary⁣ and secondary student population in‌ public schools in the state.

Benefits of Model Colleges

Model college students ‍enjoy⁢ the same benefits as their counterparts‍ in residential public schools,⁤ including free education,⁢ provision of educational infrastructure, free technological devices, adequate security in schools, and payment of final examination fees‍ such as​ WAEC, which is borne by⁣ the ​Lagos ⁣State Government ​for all public school students.

Importance of Nutrition

The Department of Education stressed that providing nutritious food to boarding‌ students is important not only for their ⁢physical growth but also for their mental alertness and academic success.

Nutritious food helps not only physical growth but also mental arousal. The Department of Education does not want‍ boarding school students to look weak and lack critical thinking skills.

Call ⁢for Cooperation

The Department of Education urged parents to cooperate with the⁣ government​ to ensure the health and well-being of their students.

Background Story

• Parents of students at Oriu Model​ College in Ikorodu, Lagos State, staged a peaceful protest against the Lagos State government’s decision ‍to increase hostel fees.
• The sudden increase in the fee,‌ previously ⁣set⁣ at 35,000 Naira, ‌to 100,000 Naira ⁤has ⁤raised concerns among parents already struggling with the economic‍ hardships facing ⁣the country.
• Expressing ​their collective frustration, ⁣the⁣ Parents Forum Association (PFA) Chairman of Oriu Model College, Mr Kazim Oladunyi, has⁣ appealed to the Lagos State Ministry of Education to reconsider its decision and restore the previous fees.