Parents of students in Delta State-owned technical schools have made a passionate appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to review the recent increase in boarding fees from ₦85,000 to ₦250,000 per term.
The parents expressed their concerns, citing financial hardship and questioning the justification for the sharp hike, especially when Federal Government Colleges, some private schools as well as the Delta State-owned model secondary schools charge far less.
In an open appeal, the parents asked the governor to clarify whether the fee increase was approved by his office or implemented by the Ministry of Technical Education without his consent. They also pointed out that the state owned government model secondary schools and colleges charge N60,000 while some private schools in the state capital, Asaba, charge ₦150,000, while similar schools in Lagos charge around ₦100,000 as boarding fees.
A teacher from Ofagbe Technical School, speaking anonymously, expressed concern over recent fee increases imposed by the Ministry of Technical Education. He noted that the annual fee for junior and senior classes rose from N1,850 to N3,400, along with an additional compulsory N15,000 for medical and administrative charges.