King’s College Lagos concessioned to old boys’ association

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By Ebunoluwa Sessou

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The Federal Ministry of Education has directed that King’s College, Lagos, be concessioned to the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA), with an immediate commencement of the handover process.

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The directive was contained in an official letter received by the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), according to the PTA Chairman, Engr. Peter Oluwaleye, who disclosed the development following an emergency meeting of stakeholders.

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Oluwaleye said the ministry instructed stakeholders to be notified that the college had been concessioned to KCOBA and directed that the transition process should commence immediately.

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He said the ministry further directed that a transition committee be constituted immediately to oversee the process and ensure that the transition was completed within six months.

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According to him, the ministry also stated that upon completion of the handover, the Federal Government would cease funding any activities of the college.

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The PTA chairman said the Parents and Teachers Association was equally directed to provide the transition committee with a list of staff who were willing to remain in the employment of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

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The development, he said, was subsequently communicated to the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the staff of the institution.

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However, the staff union immediately activated its response mechanism by shutting down the college and preventing entry and exit, he said.

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Oluwaleye added that staff unions nationwide had been informed of the development, while neighbouring schools were expected to commence solidarity actions.

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He warned that the shutdown could spread nationwide if the Federal Ministry of Education failed to provide a favourable response within a reasonable time.

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The PTA chairman expressed concern over what he described as the lack of prior consultation with parents before the concession decision was communicated.

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He said parents deserved to be informed about the terms and conditions of the concession, particularly because their children were admitted into the institution as a federal unity school.

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“Our children got admitted into KC as a unity school. They should have been allowed to graduate under the same terms,” he said.

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Oluwaleye also questioned the proposed six-month transition period, describing it as inadequate for such a major change in the ownership and management structure of the institution.

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He said the PTA would continue to engage relevant stakeholders and explore all options within the law to protect the interests of the students.

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Meanwhile, parents have been advised to continue preparing their wards for the proposed September 13 resumption, while putting on hold the purchase of perishable back-to-school items pending further clarification.

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The PTA said parents would be updated between Monday and Thursday on whether the school would reopen for the scheduled resumption.

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