Odisha edu minister joins parents in opposing CBSE fee hike

BHUBANESWAR: State school and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Monday joined parents in opposing the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) decision to hike board exam fees. Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha (OAM), the state-level parents' association strongly condemned the fee hike decision of CBSE and demanded immediate withdrawal of the 'arbitrary' fee hike.The parents' body also requested the chief minister Naveen Patnaik to intervene into the matter.
"It is really unfortunate and inappropriate on the part of the CBSE to increase the fees 12 times at one go. It will certainly pinch the pockets of parents. The board must reconsider its decision," said minister Dash.
The CBSE had announced increase in the board examination fees for students of class X and XII on Sunday. The fees for St/SC students has been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 1200, almost 24 times more, while the fees for general students doubled from Rs 750 to Rs 1500 per student. The late fee has been fixed at Rs 2000 per student.
"The fee hike is totally unconstitutional and arbitrary. Sending our kids to English medium private schools does not mean that we can afford so much of fees. As such the school fees are very high and now the hike in examination fees would increase the burden of parents," said convenor of OAM, Basudev Bhatt.
For appearing in any additional subject in class X or XII board both ST/SC and general students have to pay Rs 300 extra. Earlier it was free for ST and SC students. The migration fee, which was Rs 150 earlier, has also been increased to Rs 350.
The OAM has also written to prime minister Narendra Modi, HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and CBSE chairperson Anita Karwal for reconsidering for a revision.
Sources said, apart from all CBSE affiliated privately run schools the fee hike will also be implemented in Kendriya Vidyalayas and state-run Adarsh Vidyalayas.
"In Kendriya Vidyalayas children of mostly salaried people study while in Adarsh Vidyalayas meritorious students from rural areas study. For them paying the examination fees would be very difficult," said Balaram Majhi, a parent and a central government employee.
Meanwhile, the CBSE on Monday justified the hike and said 'this increase is after a gap of five years. The board had not increased the fees in the last five years.'
The board further maintained that 'the fee has been increased for all categories of students in all affiliated schools of CBSE in India and abroad by a resolution of the governing body of the board. With this increase the board fee is now comparable to the other central boards.'
The students appearing for the class X board exams will register for the exam when in class IX and those appearing for class XII will register when in class XI.