On Sunday, parents of students at Eva Adelaja Girls Grammar School in Bariga, Lagos, took to the streets to voice their displeasure over what they described as a boarding schools fee crisis. The Lagos State government recently raised the boarding school fees from N35,000 to N100,000, sparking outrage among parents who found the increase too steep and too sudden. They demanded that the government reverse this decision immediately.
The protest, which saw a large turnout of concerned parents, was marked by chants and slogans calling for immediate action. Protesters carried placards with messages such as “No reversal, No resumption!” and “We say no to this fee increment.” They vowed not to allow their children to resume school until the government addressed their concerns and rolled back the new fees.
The issue arose after a letter from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, signed by the Director of Basic Education Services, Olufemi Asaolu, was sent to all public boarding school principals. The letter, dated just a few days before the scheduled resumption of the new school term, announced the revised fees for all public boarding schools in the state. According to the letter, the boarding schools fee crisis had been officially approved by the state government, setting the new amount at N100,000 per term, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session. The letter also clearly stated that no additional fees would be imposed by the schools.
This sudden increase took parents by surprise, as there was no prior consultation or warning. Segun Bashorun, the Public Relations Officer of the Parents’ Forum at Eva Adelaja Girls Grammar School, expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview. “We were completely blindsided by this decision,” he said. “The new fees were announced just two days before resumption, leaving many parents in a difficult financial position. It’s unfair that we were not included in the discussions leading up to this decision.”
Bashorun further explained that the ongoing economic challenges in the country made it almost impossible for many families to adjust to such a large increase in fees. “The cost of living has gone up significantly, and with this boarding schools fee crisis, many parents are struggling to make ends meet. Some parents are even in tears because they simply can’t afford to pay.”
Another concerned parent, speaking to reporters, noted that this fee hike could have long-term consequences on the future of the students. “Our children have big dreams. They want to become leaders in society, but how can they do that if we can’t afford to keep them in school? This boarding schools fee crisis is creating barriers for our children’s education.”
The protesting parents are calling for the Lagos State government to reconsider its decision and involve them in future conversations concerning school fees and other matters affecting their children’s education.