By Leshi Adebayo
The Lagos State Government has agreed to the sum of N35,000 boarding fees per term for all model colleges in the state.
This decision followed the controversy that trailed the initial increment of the fees from N25,000 to N50,000.
Recall the state government had proposed that since it would spend an average of N125,000 on each student per term, the parents should pay N50,000, while the government would cover the remaining N75,000. But the parents resisted the proposal, saying they could only pay N30,000 per student.
At a press briefing on Tuesday after a stakeholders’ meeting, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Ganiyu Sanni Okanlawon, disclosed the new resolution.
Okanlawon said, “When this matter got to the House, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Àjàyí Obasa mandated the committee on education to look into the matter with a view to resolving it amicably and that is what we have done today. After much deliberations, we have resolved that the sum of ₦35,000 proposed by the parents be be adopted as the decision of the house and all the stakeholders.”
He explained that the new boarding fees would be paid for two terms, after which the state would do a downward or upward review of the fees, depending on the outcome of the experiment.
“During the two terms, the parents forum shall not interfere with the running of the noarsiy system in order to have a true outcome of the experiment and no additional financial burden should be put on the parents by the forum,” he said.
The chairman added that the menu list should be reassessed, stating that essential nutrients for growth and development such as milk and fruits should be included for the students.
He also advised that the schools should localise its menu list, focusing on readily available seasonal foods in their local environment.
Okanlawon added that it was resolved that for the purpose of transparency and accountability, two members of the parents’ forum be included in the daily running of the boarding house.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo appreciated the parents, the State House of Assembly, and other stakeholders for reaching an “amicable resolution.”
Likewise the Chairman of parents of all the children in Model Colleges, Surveyor Dapo Dawodu thanked the House for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
He said, “This has been a journey of two months and half but like a two years journey, now that we have arrived at a resolution of N35,000. This is not only good for the parents but for the children also. We thank the Lagos State House of Assembly, the house that is above common standard of excellence.”
