By Jide Ajia
Several parents in Lagos have barred their children from attending school in protest of a recent fee hike, insisting that no child will return to classrooms until the fee increase is reversed.
The parents, frustrated by the sudden rise in fees, expressed concerns over the financial strain it has imposed on families, making it difficult to continue their children’s education.
In a viral video, parents gathered outside Lagos Model Colleges in Ojo and Meiran, holding peaceful demonstrations and demanding that the school management reconsider the hike.
“We cannot afford these new fees, and until they reverse it, our children will not go back to school,” one aggrieved parent stated during the protest.
The protesting parents carried placards with inscriptions such as, “From N35,000 to N100,000,” “No Reversal, No Entry,” “Say No to Boarding School Fee Hike,” and “Where is the Free Education You Promised Our Children.”
The fee increase, which has sparked widespread outrage, has led to accusations of insensitivity by the schools amidst the country’s current economic challenges.
School authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the demands, though some suggest the increase was necessary to cover rising operational costs. As the standoff continues, affected students remain out of school, with no clear resolution in sight. Parents, however, are resolute: “No fee reversal, no re-entry.
The protesting parents carried placards with inscriptions such as, “From N35,000 to N100,000,” “No Reversal, No Entry,” “Say No to Boarding School Fee Hike,” and “Where is the Free Education You Promised Our Children.”
The fee increase, which has sparked widespread outrage, has led to accusations of insensitivity by the schools amidst the country’s current economic challenges.
School authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the demands, though some suggest the increase was necessary to cover rising operational costs. As the standoff continues, affected students remain out of school, with no clear resolution in sight. Parents, however, are resolute: “No fee reversal, no re-entry.”
Speaking via phone with journalists, Vice-Chairman of the Parents’ Forum at Lagos State Senior Model College, Ojo, Mr. Ifeukwu Samuel, confirmed that the boarding fee was raised from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.
He expressed frustration, noting that many parents are struggling to cope with the overall economic hardship, compounded by the increased fees.
“The parents were never informed of this increase in advance,” Mr. Samuel stated.
“We’ve been preparing to resume since last Sunday, but on Friday, a circular from the Lagos Ministry of Education suddenly announced that Model Colleges wouldn’t resume as scheduled due to logistics. Then, late Friday evening, we received the shocking news of the 200% increase in boarding fees.”
