The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Kings College Lagos, on Saturday, unanimously rejected the federal government’s approval to grant the institution’s Old Boys Association (KCOBA) a concession to take over the running of the college.

Kings College Lagos, one of the country’s foremost all-boys dual-campus unity colleges, was established by an Act of Parliament (in Britain) on September 20, 1909.

The federal government recently approved the concession of the 116-year-old institution to its old boys’ association, in what the group described as the beginning of a new era for the school.

Speaking at the college’s PTA annual general meeting, the parents unanimously rejected the move and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the approval.

Nkiru Ikechukwu, a parent, urged the Old Boys to invest more in the institution and monitor and supervise its finances as a way of giving back if they felt the standard was declining, rather than an outright takeover.

“If this should be allowed to happen, I dare say that it will trickle down to all other unity colleges in the country and, by way of extension, also federal institutions of higher learning across the country.

“It will also affect the fees. Currently, several parents are still struggling to meet up with the fees, talk more of when it is taken over by a set of individuals,” she said.

Adewunmi Adeola, a parent, urged the school’s stakeholders to reject the plans.

Noting the dilapidated infrastructure and recurring bedbug infestation, she said this should attract increased government funding and supervision, not concession/privatisation.

Ibrahim Yunusa, another parent, described the institution as the last hope for both the less privileged and the average Nigerian.

He noted that, like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the essence was to promote unity and encourage bonding among the children while upholding the values and principles of the founders.

“All we want at this time is to support the college that has done so much in moulding character and shaping the future of its students,” he said.

Loveth Nimkur-Ikilama, a teacher, said the move was contrary to the founding fathers’ mission and therefore should not be sustained.

“I am also sure that if allowed, with time, the concession can result in privatisation, which will, in one way or another, affect the teachers, and, of course, the fees will skyrocket.

“This, too, to a large extent, may also see a lot of indigent but brilliant students drop out of school. Therefore, we are saying no to the move,” the teacher said.

Another teacher, who demanded anonymity, said the college has come through for many underprivileged parents and guardians and therefore must not be in the hands of private individuals who would make access to education less affordable.

A group of parents also expressed their concerns about the development, adding that the move was in bad taste.

They noted that as parents, they had invested their time, resources, and commitment in supporting the college over the years.

Reading the communique, Peter Oluwaleye, KCL PTA chairman, said, “We are gathered here today to express our deep concern and strong opposition to the much-advertised concessioning of King’s College Lagos to the Old Boys Association under any guise.

“Education is a fundamental right, not a criminal reserve for those who can afford it. Public schools belong to the people.

“We believe that the challenges facing this college can be addressed through increased government funding, improved infrastructure, transparent management, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders, not by transferring the responsibility of public education to private entities,” the communique read.

It called on the government to immediately suspend the proposed concession and initiate genuine talks with all stakeholders.

“We also urge policymakers to prioritise investment in public education by providing adequate funding, local facilities, qualified teachers, and effective supervision.

“Furthermore, we are calling the civil society organisation, labour union, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and all lovers of quality education to lend their voices in protecting our public schools,” the communique said.

The communique warned that the concessions would inevitably lead to higher fees and charges that many parents can not afford, forcing children from low‑income families out of school.

(NAN)