Parents flay CBSE decision to hike board examination fee

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 13

The Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) decision to hike fees of Class X and XII board examinations has not gone well with parents, particularly belonging to the SC/ST category.

Opposing the move, Baljinder Kaur, whose daughter Shubhseerat is a Class X student of city’s private CBSE school, said, “This should not have happened as it will adversely affect parents belonging to economically weaker section. My daughter’s school has already taken the amount. I don’t know how they would adjust now. We have no other option than paying the increased amount. If it could have been hiked to Rs 500, we would have paid it for the sake of our children’s future. A sudden hike of 24 times is too much. Every parent wants to give their children quality education. Education system has become a profession.”

Seema Garg, whose son is a Class XII student, said: “At a time when lower middle class families are finding it difficult to pay the regular school fee, it’s is like another setback for them. For children’s betterment and their future, they (parents) don’t think while paying such fees. This is a letdown for parents who seek quality education for their children.”

For SC and ST students, the examination fee has been increased from Rs 50 to Rs 1,200, while the amount has been doubled for those from the general category, who will now have to pay Rs 1,500.

On being asked about the CBSE’s decision, Jatinder Kaur, principal of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, said: “The registration process for Class X and XII examinations is still underway. We are yet to inform parents that registration fee has been hiked by the CBSE.

Justifying its move, the CBSE has cited major losses for doubling exam fees. It further said that taking competitive exams away from the board led to loss of major source of revenue. Around 30 schools in the city are affiliated to the CBSE.