As the Lagos State Government insists on the payment of N100,000 boarding fee per term for the students of its model colleges in the state, the parents of the students are planning a mega protest rally to resist the new payment.

Both parties – leadership of Parents Forum (PF) and the Lagos State Government had lurked horns over the increment of 185.71 per cent in boarding fee since last November 2024.

Before the new announcement, model colleges’ students were paying the sum of N35,000 per term as boarding fee, but the government unilaterally increased it to N100,000 per term from this second term (January 2025).

The hike in the fee had not gone down well with most parents who are yet to return their students to school almost two weeks after resumption of the new term.

Information gathered indicated that no fewer than 65 per cent of the students are yet to return to school for the continuation of the current academic session.

The parents regretted that all their appeals to the State Government to reverse its decision of N100,000 had proved abortive, wondering “if the government is living in another clime.”

A short message to the parents on one of the PF platforms on Wednesday by Mr. Victor Agbabiaka, the State PF Secretary, said that the “mega protest march” would take place any moment from now.

He said: “Events of the past 36 hours have been so fast paced and mind-boggling, such that getting across to you in order to give updates, have been near impossible.

“However while the leadership of our forum had been engaged in a series of consultations and meetings, I have the instruction of the Chairman Surv. Dapo Dawodu, to notify all parents to be on standby for a mega protest march before the end of this week.

“And in this wise, we wish to inform you all to start making preparations for mobilisation for this mammoth street protest, from each of our various schools!

“We shall give you further instructions in respect of this action.”

There are no fewer than 16 model colleges in Lagos State.

Some of the schools are Lagos State Model Junior College Meiran, Lagos State Model College Igbokuta, Lagos State Civic Service Model College Igbogbo Ikorodu, Oriwu Model College Ikorodu and Government junior College Ikorodu.

Other are Eva Adelaja Memorial Junior Secondary Bariga, Lagos State Model Junior College Badore, Lagos State Model Junior College Igbonla, Lagos State Junior Model College Agbowa, Government Junior College ketu Epe, Epe Junior Grammar School and Lagos State Junior Model College Kankon Badagry, among others.