King’s College PTA lists reasons for opposing proposed concession

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of King's College, Lagos, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed concession of the 116-year-old Federal Government college to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA).

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The PTA strongly opposes the proposed concession of the college to a group parading themselves as KCOBs.

The PTA argues that such a move could compromise the principle of affordable public education, potentially exclude children from low-income families, and diminish the institution's public character. They issued a communiqué after their Annual General Meeting, signed by Chairman Peter Oluwaleye and Secretary Balogun A. O., outlining their concerns.

KCOBA had previously announced that the Federal Government approved a new governance framework, calling it a "King’s College Renaissance." KCOBA President Kashim Ibrahim-Imam clarified that the arrangement is a partnership with the government aimed at restoring and modernizing the college, not a sale or privatization.

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The association believes that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Public schools belong to the people. King’s College, Lagos, was established to provide affordable, accessible and qualitative education for every child, regardless of family income or social background.

However, the PTA maintains that King's College was founded to offer accessible and quality education to all Nigerian children, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. They are deeply concerned that the proposed concession will lead to higher school fees and charges, making education unaffordable for many parents and widening the gap between the rich and the poor. The association stressed that while they are not against private investment in education, they reject any concession that compromises accessibility, affordability, equity, and the public interest.

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Education should be within the reach of everyone. The association is deeply concerned that the proposed arrangement will surely lead to increased school fees and other charges that many parents will not be able to afford. This will ultimately force children from low-income families out of school, widening the gap between the rich and the poor and denying many children their constitutional right to education