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We won’t make any reversal on model colleges new boarding fee — Lagos govt insists

Published

2 months ago

September 17, 2024

By Mario Deepromoter

The Lagos State Government has insisted to stay on the new boarding fee of N100,000 per term (against the old fee of N35,000) charged each student of its model colleges across the state.

The state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education gave this position on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen.

The statement was signed by the Deputy Director of Public Affairs unit of the ministry, Mr Ganiu Lawal, explaining why the fee increment is inevitable.

According to the statement, the Ministry is aware of dissenting views by some parents to the inevitable increase in boarding fees in our model colleges.

“This is not an easy decision but the welfare of the children is a priority for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Lagos State Government.

Lagos State Government provides free education in 1,021 Primary schools, 369 Junior Secondary and 329 Senior Secondary schools which include 32 model colleges across the State. Except for Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, all the model colleges are boarding schools.

Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice of every parent, they are expected to pay boarding fees.

The boarding fee is paid every term and it is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other miscellaneous cost related to keeping them in the hostels per term. The schools also take care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing their meals.

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The concern of ensuring a better welfare for our model college students, who are over one percent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state, necessitated the increase in boarding fees.

“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis- a- vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices) provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees (LASG pays WAEC fees for all public school students).

“So, the N35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 is not realistic in 2024.

Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with 35,000 for three months.

“A comparative analysis of Federal and State public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate with the reviewed rate despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses.

“So, our parents should show understanding for the sake of the children.”

Meanwhile, the Parents’ Forum of the colleges said that the House of Assembly had earlier on Monday reversed to the old fee of N35,000 following their protest to the House despite there was a public holiday.

The Deputy Chairman of the Parents’ Forum of the Colleges, Mr Ifeukwu Samuel, told Tribune Online when asked for the update on the matter.

He said the House of Assembly had directed that the students should resume and check into the hostels across the model colleges in the state on Tuesday.

He explained that an agreement was reached at the meeting between the state’s House Committee on Education, led by Mrs Sangodara and the protesting parents led by the Chairman of the forum, Mr Dapo Dawodu.

According to him, the old fee of N35,000 per term is said to be sustained at the meeting.

Speaking further, he said the parents at the meeting presented to the House the template of how to effectively manage the funds that is coming into the colleges on the basis of the old fee of N35,000 per term and with a promise by the House to invite the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to present its own calculation to justify the new fee.

He said, “So in the interim. We are to constitute a school management board committee for each college.

“The committee will comprise the representatives of the parents and that of the school and to be shouldered with some responsibilities as regards the management of the funds that are coming into the colleges.

“The committee will know the amounts of money that are coming in and also oversee the mangement of such funds alongside the college principal.”

Samuel told Tribune Online that the implication of this new arrangement is that it would now be cleared to everyone, especially the parents how the money that is coming into the colleges through the fees is being spent on the feeding of the students and if there would be the need or not for an upward review of the boarding fee and by how much.

“But for now, the old fee of N35,000 per term for each student will be sustained as agreed at the meeting,” he emphasised.

The state government had on Friday night, 13th of September, announced an upward review of boarding fee for each student across its model colleges from N35,000 to N100,000 (representing 286 percent increment ) and this to be effective from this first term.

The students were supposed to resume originally last Sunday, 7th of September alongside their peers in other primary and secondary schools in the state but their resumption date was shifted by one week.

Model colleges are special secondary schools owned by the state government and spread across the six educational districts of the state.

They are 32 in all, operating boarding facilities except Vetland Grammar School, Ifako- Ijaiye, which is being run as a day school.

For resumption, almost all the parents had already paid their children’s fee of the old amount in readiness for resumption.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.

News

NiDCOM rescues 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

*** says 163 victims saved between July, November

By Francesca Hangeior

The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.

This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.

The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.

The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.

It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.

NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.

She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.

NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.

Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.

News

Dabiri-Erewa celebrates Chidimma’s emergence as First Runner up, Miss Universe

Published

3 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina for emerging second at Miss Universe 2024, describing it as a reward for her doggedness and resilience.

In a congratulatory statement issued by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss was excited that despite all odds, Chidimma remained focused and attained her goals.

Dabiri-Erewa said though Chidimma Adetshina as Nigeria’s representative, finished as the first runner-up at the 73rd Miss Universe Competition held in Mexico, her courage, determination and support from Nigeria eventually paid off. She was also named Miss Africa and Oceania 2024.

Dabiri-Erewa recalled Adetshina’s controversial official withdrawal from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, of which she had advanced to the final stage ,some few months back, noting that Nigeria warmly welcomed her, after being literally forced out of South Africa.

While in Nigeria, accompanied by President Silverbird group, Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chidinma was warmly received at the NIDCOM Lagos office, and thereafter hosted to a grand reception at Idris Olorunnibe’s “The Temple,” Victoria Island ,with music legend, Dbanj in attendance.

Describing her as brilliant, focussed and determined, she urged others to emulate the spirit of Nigerianess in Chidimma by being proud of the country and not run it down under whatever guise.

The competition, described as one of the most thrilling in recent years, celebrated the talents, intelligence, and elegance of women from around the globe.

Nigeria came second behind Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, who won the keenly contested crown from Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.

It will be recalled that Chidimma was rejected by South Africa who expressed worries and questioned her nationality.

Due to that, Adetshina came to Nigeria to represent Taraba State and won the title of Miss Universe Nigeria.organised by the Silverbird group.