By Editor
IKEJA, Lagos State — The Lagos State Government has once again found itself embroiled in controversy after approving a significant hike in boarding fees across its model colleges. The fee adjustment, which sees boarding costs soar from N35,000 to N100,000 per term, has sparked outrage among parents and guardians, many of whom are struggling to cope with the economic realities of 2024. As parents take to the streets and social media to voice their discontent, the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through its Public Affairs Department, is steadfast in its defence of the decision. According to the ministry, the fee hike is not only necessary but inevitable, given the rising cost of maintaining student welfare in the state’s boarding schools.
However, critics argue that the decision was made without adequate consultation with parents and that it reflects the government’s growing disconnect with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. This report delves into the key aspects of the boarding fee hike, the rationale provided by the government, and the mounting dissent from affected parents, as well as the broader implications for public education in Lagos State.
The Government’s Defence: Welfare Over Profit?
In a statement released by Mr. Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Lagos State Government explained that the decision to increase boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term was long overdue. According to Lawal, the N35,000 fee, which had been in place since 2021, was no longer sufficient to cover the basic costs of maintaining the boarding facilities and ensuring the welfare of students.
“The boarding fee being paid since 2021 is unrealistic in 2024,” Lawal remarked, underscoring the rapid inflation and rising costs of food, energy, and other essential services that have placed a strain on the state’s education budget. He pointed out that the fee hike was not an arbitrary decision but one made after careful consideration of the operational costs involved in running boarding schools.
Lawal elaborated that the N100,000 fee would cover feeding, janitorial services, and other miscellaneous costs related to keeping students in the hostels. He highlighted that the schools also bore the cost of energy, including fuel and cooking gas, which are critical for the preparation of meals. “Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with N35,000 for three months,” Lawal added, emphasising that the state government was still being considerate compared to other states and federal schools with boarding facilities.
Furthermore, the government stressed that it continues to provide free education to over a thousand primary schools and hundreds of junior and senior secondary schools in the state. The boarding fee, therefore, is seen as a supplementary cost borne by parents who choose to enroll their children in boarding schools, which Lawal pointed out is an individual choice.
Parents’ Perspective: ‘Outrageous’ and Out of Touch with Reality
Despite the government’s rationale, many parents are finding it difficult to accept the drastic increase in boarding fees. For families already grappling with skyrocketing food prices, utility costs, and other living expenses, the additional burden of paying N100,000 per term for their children’s boarding is simply untenable. A group of parents, some of whom have more than one child in boarding school, have described the increase as “outrageous” and have accused the government of being out of touch with the economic realities faced by average Nigerians.
A parent who requested anonymity expressed their frustration, saying, “We understand that things are expensive now, but how does the government expect us to afford N100,000 per child, per term? Many of us are already struggling to make ends meet. They should be thinking of ways to subsidise education, not making it more expensive.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, pointing to the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria as a result of inflation, currency devaluation, and rising unemployment. For many parents, this fee hike feels like yet another blow in a series of economic challenges that have made everyday living increasingly difficult.
In response to the government’s claim that boarding school is a choice, another parent retorted, “It’s not about choice. Many of us send our children to boarding school because it’s safer, especially with the rising insecurity in the country. The government should be making education more accessible, not less.”
Analysing the Rationale: Is the Fee Hike Justifiable?
From the perspective of the Lagos State Government, the boarding fee hike is a necessary evil. The argument is that, with the rising cost of living, maintaining the quality of services provided to students has become unsustainable under the current fee structure. The ministry’s emphasis on the welfare of the students, including their nutrition and overall well-being, adds a moral justification to the fee hike. After all, proper feeding is essential for both the physical and mental development of students, and the government cannot afford to compromise on this front.
But is the hike really justifiable? A comparative analysis of other states and federal schools with boarding facilities reveals a complex picture. While it is true that Lagos State has some of the most expensive living costs in Nigeria, it is also home to a vast majority of Nigerians living in poverty. The economic disparity in the state raises questions about whether the government should have implemented more targeted interventions to assist low-income families rather than a blanket fee hike.
Moreover, critics argue that the government’s defence of the fee hike does not address the larger issue of educational funding in the state. Why has the cost of running boarding schools become so prohibitive? Has the government been adequately funding public education, or has it been relying too heavily on parents to shoulder the burden? These are questions that the Lagos State Government has yet to answer fully.
The Broader Implications for Public Education in Lagos
The boarding fee hike in Lagos State raises important questions about the state of public education in Nigeria. While the government continues to trumpet its provision of free education, the reality is that many aspects of public schooling come at a cost. The boarding fee is just one example of how parents are increasingly being asked to pay for services that were once fully funded by the state.
This trend reflects a broader shift in public policy, where the financial burden of education is being gradually transferred from the government to families. For many low- and middle-income families, this shift is deeply concerning, as it threatens to widen the educational inequality gap in Lagos and beyond. If education becomes too expensive, many children from less privileged backgrounds may be forced to drop out, leading to long-term consequences for social mobility and economic development.
Furthermore, the protests by parents highlight the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of public services. The fee hike may be the latest flashpoint, but it is indicative of broader frustrations with governance in the state. Parents are not just protesting the increase in boarding fees—they are protesting a system that seems increasingly indifferent to their struggles.
Conclusion: The Crossroads of Welfare and Economic Reality
As the 2024/2025 school session approaches, the controversy surrounding the Lagos State Government’s decision to increase boarding fees is unlikely to dissipate. While the government insists that the fee hike is necessary to ensure the welfare of students, many parents remain unconvinced, viewing the increase as an additional burden in an already challenging economic climate.
The debate over the boarding fee hike is emblematic of the larger struggles facing public education in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. At its core, this issue reflects the tensions between the need to maintain quality education services and the ability of the government to fund these services without passing the costs onto parents. As Lagosians continue to navigate these competing interests, the question remains: how can the government balance the welfare of students with the economic realities faced by their families?
With reporting from Peter Jene, Senior National Correspondent, Atlantic Post.
