Parents of students at the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba (FSTCY), Lagos State, have vehemently opposed a sudden increase in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levy from ₦7,500 to ₦12,000 per term. In a strongly worded statement addressed to the school’s Director Principal, the aggrieved parents accused the PTA Executive Committee and school management of a lack of transparency and accountability regarding the levy. They expressed deep concern over the additional financial burden, especially amidst the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
The parents highlighted that while the Federal Ministry of Education has advised unity schools to exercise discretion within a ₦5,000 to ₦12,000 benchmark, FSTCY has consistently charged above the ₦5,000 most other unity schools collect. They categorically rejected the latest increment displayed on the portal and threatened to use all legitimate means to demand a well-audited financial report on the ₦7,500 already paid for the first and second terms of the 2024/2025 academic session before considering any further increases.
The statement further alleged that previous promises for dialogue and committee discussions to address their concerns have been ignored. Parents recalled an emergency PTA meeting in March 2025 where a committee was proposed to deliberate on the levy hike and investigate PTA finances, but claimed that this committee never convened or reported back.
They also referenced a January 2025 meeting where assurances of inclusive dialogue were given, only for the school and PTA executives to allegedly proceed unilaterally with the levy increase.
This recent rejection follows earlier reports of controversy surrounding PTA fees at FSTCY, where previous unilateral increases allegedly disregarded government-set limits. Parents feel marginalized by the lack of consultation and transparency in the decision-making process, especially given the mandatory nature of the PTA levy for student resumption.
