By love-89.com In response to a protest by concerned parents in Lagos regarding the significant increase in boarding fees at the state’s model colleges, the Lagos State House of Assembly has taken action. They have instructed Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, Chair of the House Committee on Education, to convene with all relevant stakeholders and report back within a week.
Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, confirmed that this directive was issued following a meeting between the Speaker and the protesting parents at the Assembly gate. The fees were raised from N35,000 to N100,000 for the new academic session starting on September 15, 2024.
During a plenary session on Monday, Speaker Obasa shared his decision to intervene upon hearing protest chants at the Assembly’s entrance. He reassured the parents that their concerns would be addressed promptly.
Hon. Sangodara informed the Assembly that her committee had already been in discussions with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders regarding the matter. Similarly, Hon. Shabi Adekola (Lagos Mainland II) noted that, during a meeting with Ministry officials, an agreement was reached for parents to continue paying the original fee of N35,000 while the situation is further reviewed.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency II) highlighted that this fee increase is largely due to rising feeding costs for students, urging the government to find ways to alleviate the financial strain on parents and provide necessary support.
Additionally, Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) raised concerns from parents that students unable to meet the new fee were not permitted to buy food on campus, exacerbating the situation.
The House plans to await the education committee’s report before taking any further action on this pressing issue.