Several parents in Lagos have barred their children from attending school in protest of a recent fee hike, insisting that no child will return to classrooms until the fee increase is reversed.
The parents, frustrated by the sudden rise in fees, expressed concerns over the financial strain it has imposed on families, making it difficult to continue their children’s education.
In a viral video sent to PUNCH Online, parents gathered outside Lagos Model Colleges in Ojo and Meiran, holding peaceful demonstrations and demanding that the school management reconsider the hike.
“We cannot afford these new fees, and until they reverse it, our children will not go back to school,” one aggrieved parent stated during the protest.
The protesting parents carried placards with inscriptions such as, “From N35,000 to N100,000,” “No Reversal, No Entry,” “Say No to Boarding School Fee Hike,” and “Where is the Free Education You Promised Our Children.”
The fee increase, which has sparked widespread outrage, has led to accusations of insensitivity by the schools amidst the country’s current economic challenges.
School authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the demands, though some suggest the increase was necessary to cover rising operational costs. As the standoff continues, affected students remain out of school, with no clear resolution in sight. Parents, however, are resolute: “No fee reversal, no re-entry.”
Speaking via phone with PUNCH Online, Vice-Chairman of the Parents’ Forum at Lagos State Senior Model College, Ojo, Mr. Ifeukwu Samuel, confirmed that the boarding fee was raised from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.
He expressed frustration, noting that many parents are struggling to cope with the overall economic hardship, compounded by the increased fees.
“The parents were never informed of this increase in advance,” Mr. Samuel stated.
“We’ve been preparing to resume since last Sunday, but on Friday, a circular from the Lagos Ministry of Education suddenly announced that Model Colleges wouldn’t resume as scheduled due to logistics. Then, late Friday evening, we received the shocking news of the 200% increase in boarding fees.”
Samuel, who has three children in SSI, SSII, and SSIII, said many parents are finding it difficult to recover from the sudden news.
He added, “To them, it was a planned move between the school principals and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
“Some parents are now demanding refunds for the N35,000 they already paid, intending to transfer their children to other schools. It’s heartbreaking. We are already burdened by rising costs in fuel, electricity, and now school fees. The government should not impose this hike; it only adds insult to injury.”
A parent, who wished to remain anonymous, told PUNCH Online that after calling his child’s House Master, he was advised not to bring the child to school. “I pity those arriving from outside Lagos to resume,” the parent lamented.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Parents’ Forum of Lagos Model Colleges, Surv. Dapo Dawodu raised the alarm on Saturday during the Forum’s meeting in Lagos.
In a letter addressed to parents, a copy of which was sent to PUNCH Online, the parents’ forum has also threatened to keep their children at home until the fee hike is reversed.
The letter, dated 14th September, titled “Re: Increment in Fees”, partly read:
“In the last 24 hours, we have witnessed an avalanche of disdain, anguish, and frustration at the mindless and provocative 200% increase in boarding fees for our children, imposed by the corrupt officers of the Lagos State Ministry of Education!…”
On Friday, 13th September, the Lagos State Government increased boarding fees in all secondary schools from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.
A letter to all boarding school principals, signed by the Director of Basic Education Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Olufemi Asaolu, and seen by PUNCH, read: “I have the directive of the Honourable Commissioner to inform all public boarding schools in Lagos State that the State Government has approved the review of the boarding fee payable in all public boarding schools. The newly approved fee is N100,000 only.”
