Dad and mom of boarding college students at Eva Adelaja Women Grammar Faculty in Bariga, Lagos, took to the streets on Sunday to protest the Lagos State authorities’s improve in boarding charges from N35,000 to N100,000.
The dad and mom, who gathered in giant numbers, chanted slogans and demanded a direct reversal of the payment hike. They insisted that the varsity wouldn’t resume till their calls for had been met.
Protesters held banners and placards with messages reminiscent of “No reversal, No resumption!” “Free training is our proper,” and “We are saying no to this payment increment.”
A letter addressed to all boarding faculty principals and signed by Olufemi Asaolu, Director of Fundamental Schooling Providers on the Lagos State Ministry of Fundamental and Secondary Schooling, introduced the payment improve. The letter, dated Friday, acknowledged: “The state authorities has permitted the evaluate of the boarding payment payable in all public boarding home colleges in Lagos State. The newly permitted payment is N100,000 solely.”
The letter, titled ‘Evaluate of Boarding Charges in All Public Secondary Faculties in Lagos State for the 2024/2025 Session,’ additionally famous that no extra charges must be collected by the faculties. It indicated that the resumption date was now set for Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Segun Bashorun, a father or mother and the Public Relations Officer for the Dad and mom’ Discussion board on the Senior Faculty, expressed frustration over the sudden improve. In an interview with our correspondent, Bashorun stated, “We should always have been consulted earlier than such selections had been made. The payment was elevated simply two days earlier than resumption. There was hardly any time for fogeys to regulate.”
He continued, “The financial scenario is hard, and the elevated transportation prices are additionally a burden. Many dad and mom are struggling, and a few are even in tears. We enchantment to the federal government to contain us in such selections. We have to be a part of the dialog since we’re those paying these charges.”
One other father or mother was captured on video saying, “Our kids aspire to develop into presidents and governors sooner or later. How can we hold them at dwelling as a result of we are able to’t afford the brand new charges? The fee is just too excessive, and we’re pleading for assist. Governor, please help us!”