Parents of students at the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos, have expressed outrage over a sudden increase in the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) fee from the government-approved N5,000 to N11,500.
The development has created concerns about the accountability and transparency within the institution’s administration.
Reports said the PTA executives unilaterally raised the levy without consulting parents, a move many have described as arbitrary and exploitative.
The increase affects over 5,000 students, potentially generating N32.5 million for the college.
Parents claim the decision was made without their input, leaving them frustrated as boarding students cannot resume without proof of PTA and school fee payments.
“Government policy sets the PTA fee at N5,000, but these executives are hiding behind technicalities to enforce the hike,” a parent lamented.
Another parent added: “We were promised consultations, but no feedback was provided before the increase was implemented. This has to stop.”
The PTA levy has been a contentious issue for years. The previous PTA administration introduced a similar increment, raising the fee to N7,500 without proper justification.
Although it was later reduced to N5,000, the recent increase to N11,500 has reignited tensions. Parents argue that if an increase is necessary, it should not exceed N7,500.
Attempts to reach the PTA Chairman, Akeem Ibrahim, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
Parents are now demanding greater transparency and a rollback of the fee hike, warning that unchecked increments could see the levy rise to unsustainable levels.
Letters sent to the school’s management seeking clarification have reportedly gone unanswered, further fuelling the agitation.
- Media Report