By Ayo Kehinde
Parents of students in Lagos State model colleges are planning to embark on a mega protest rally against the new boarding fees of N100,000 boarding fee per term, recently announced by the government.
The protest is imminent as the Lagos State Government insists on the payment of the new boarding fees.
Both parties, the Leadership of Parents Forum and the Lagos State Government had lurked horns over the increment of 185.71 per cent in boarding fees since last November 2024.
Before the new announcement, model college students were paying the sum of N35,000 per term as a boarding fee, but the government unilaterally increased it to N100,000 per term from this second term, starting in the new year as from January 2025.
In demonstration of their determination to have their way, many parents are yet to return their wards to schools in protest against the fees hike, almost two weeks since the resumption for the new term.
As at this report that no fewer than 65 per cent of the students are yet to return to school for the continuation of the current academic session.
The parents regretted that all their appeals to the state government to reverse its decision of N100,000 had proved abortive, wondering “if the government is living in another clime.”
A short message to the parents on one of the PF platforms on Wednesday by Mr. Victor Agbabiaka, the State PF Secretary, said that the “mega protest march” would take place any moment from now.
He said, “Events of the past 36 hours have been so fast-paced and mind-boggling, such that getting across to you to give updates, has been near impossible.
“However, while the leadership of our forum had been engaged in a series of consultations and meetings, I had the instruction of the Chairman Surv. Dapo Dawodu, to notify all parents to be on standby for a mega protest march before the end of this week.
“And in this wise, we wish to inform you all to start making preparations for mobilisation for this mammoth street protest, from each of our various schools!
“We shall give you further instructions in respect of this action.”
There are no fewer than 16 model colleges in Lagos State. Some of the schools are Lagos State Model Junior College Meiran, Lagos State Model College Igbokuta, Lagos State Civic Service Model College Igbogbo Ikorodu, Oriwu Model College Ikorodu and Government Junior College Ikorodu.
Others are Eva Adelaja Memorial Junior Secondary Bariga, Lagos State Model Junior College Badore, Lagos State Model Junior College Igbonla, Lagos State Junior Model College Agbowa, Government Junior College Ketu Epe, Epe Junior Grammar School, and Lagos State Junior Model College Kankon Badagry, among others.
