Lagos adopts N35k as boarding fee for model colleges — after N15k reduction

Boarding house students of Lagos State Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools will now pay N35,000 in each of the next two academic terms.

The boarding fee charged per term for the past 18 years has been N25,000 for a student.

But the state government had reviewed this upwards to N50,000, adjusting for inflation.

Over the past weeks, the state’s ministry of education negotiated with parents who lamented the hike.

In a statement on Sunday, Folasade Adefisayo, the commissioner for education, announced an experimental fee regime where boarding students would pay N35,000 instead of N50,000.

Adefisayo said this was in accordance with the resolution made by officials of the ministry, parents, and lawmakers.

She said no other fee would be charged nor would any intervention be imposed on parents within this period.

The commissioner explained that the idea was to avoid overburdening parents and it would further allow for a true reflection of the workability of the new boarding school fees in the 2021/2022 academic session.

According to her, representatives of parents would be incorporated into the boarding house committees to ensure inclusive supervision.

“The menu list of the students will also be reviewed and standardised in terms of necessary nutrition. Schools are also expected to incorporate available local menu and seasonal foods,” her statement read.

“There will be a review after the second term to analyse the expenditures, gaps, needs, and adequacy of N35,000 to cater for a boarding student per term.”

The resumption date for JSS 2 students in model colleges and upgraded schools is September 19.

JSS 1 students and other returning students will resume on October 2 and 9, respectively.