The Lagos State Government says an increase in boarding fees in its model colleges is inevitable, to ensure better welfare of the students.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by the state’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry, Mr Ganiu Lawal.

Lawal noted that students in the boarding schools were over one per cent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the state.

According to Lawal, the N35,000 boarding fee being paid since 2021 is unrealistic in 2024.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lagos State Government approved the upward review of boarding fees payable in all public boarding schools in Lagos State.

The review of boarding fees in all public secondary schools in Lagos State is with effect from the 2024/2025 session.

The newly approved fee is N100,000 only and starts from the session resuming on Sept. 15, 2024.

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

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

“Since enrolment of a child into a boarding school is an individual choice for 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,” Lawal said.

Lawal explained that the schools took care of energy cost on fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing the students’ meals.

“The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices).

“Also provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees; the state government pays WAEC fees for all public school students.

“Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with N35,000 for 3 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 in spite of the incomparable cost of food and other expenses,” he said.

Lawal noted that nutritious food was not just for physical growth but also for mental alertness, adding that the Ministry would not want any boarding student to look gaunt or lack the skill of critical thinking.

He stressed that the government took responsibility for the health and well-being of the students while in school, but added that the government would require full cooperation of all stakeholders to do this.

The ministry official, therefore, enjoined parents to see reasons with the state government and show understanding for the sake of the children.

Recall that the LASG provides free education in 1,021 primary schools, 369 junior secondary and 329 senior secondary schools, which include 32 model colleges across the State.

All the model colleges are boarding schools, except for Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, which operate day.

The Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi state has commenced its 2024/2025 admission into all 50 programmes approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Olufunke Hudson, registrar of the university, said the courses, are domiciled in the eight faculties of the university.

She said they are available on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) processing system for candidates to select.

Hudson noted that candidates seeking admission into the university should have selected CUSTECH as the university of first choice during the process of applying for admission.

“A candidate who wishes to switch to CUSTECH should effect the change on the JAMB portal and select Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara as the university of first choice,” she added.

“The candidate should select also the desired programme/course for which he/she has the requisite UTME and O’Level subject combinations.”

For post-UTME, the registrar said candidates should ensure that they have the right UTME subject combination and at least five credits in relevant O’Level subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, as required for the programme selected.

Dikko Radda, the governor of Katsina, has approved over N340 million to restore electricity at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYUK).

NAN reports that Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, the press director at the office of the secretary to the state government (SSG), spoke on Saturday.

Aliyu-Yar’adua said the governor has approved the immediate release of the fund for two separate electricity projects in the university.

“Firstly, the replacement of a 33KVA indoor control panel and other accessories which supply power to the school at the cost of over N260 million, and also the installation of solar security lights awarded at the cost of over N98 million,” he said.

Aliyu-Yar’adua said the decision by the state government aims to address incidents of vandalism and insecurity in the university.

He said Abdullahi Faskari, the SSG who made the announcement, disclosed that the approval was a swift response by the governor to restore a conducive atmosphere of learning and other activities in the institution.

Aliyu-Yar’adua quoted the SSG as saying: “Gov. Radda is concerned about the recent report of power outage which affected the university, hence, the directives to fix it with immediate effect.

“Radda appreciated the various efforts of the management and the understanding exhibited by the staff and students of the university while trying to restore the power supply.”

Earlier, the UMYUK had extended its mid-semester break following issues associated with electricity supply to the university.

“The university’s senate has, at its special meeting, reviewed the progress made on the repairs of electricity supply to the university, which apparently shows that the earlier date given for resumption, Monday, Sept. 16, is not tenable,” it had said.

“In view of the above reality and as state government is working to address the fault, the university senate finds it expedient to suspend the resumption until the electricity supply is fully restored.”