The Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Chairman of its Committee on Education, Mosunmola Sangodara, to invite all stakeholders concerned over the increase in the boarding fees at the state’s model colleges.
The move followed a protest by some parents to the assembly over the hike, with the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, meeting with the protesters at the Assembly gate.
The panel is expected to report back in a week.
The fees were hiked from N35,000 to N100,000 for the 2024/2025 session which commenced on September 15, 2024.
During a plenary on Monday, Obasa said he had to intervene when he heard the crowd chanting protest songs at the entrance to the assembly.
He advised the parents to remain calm while assuring them that the matter would be addressed.
A member of the House, Shabi Adekola, representing Lagos Mainland II, said that during a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Education and others, it was agreed that the parents should continue paying N35,000, pending further review of the fees.
On his part, Gbolahan Yishawu representing Eti-Osa Constituency II pointed out that the increment was primarily related to the students’ feeding costs.
He, however, urged the government to explore ways to ease the financial burden on parents and offer assistance where necessary.
In his contribution, Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) said parents had raised concerns that students who were unable to pay the new fee were not allowed to purchase food within the school premises, adding that this had further complicated the situation.
The House is awaiting the report from the education committee.
