The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has increased the fees of Class 10 and 12 board examinations for SC and ST students from ₹50 to ₹1,200. The fees for the general category has been doubled from Rs 750 to Rs 1500 for the students belonging to the general category.

This is the first hike in the last five years and will come to effect from the 2019-20 academic session. 

“The fee has been raised 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,” the statement from the board read.

Revised Fee Structure

The SC and ST students, who were paying Rs 350 earlier, will now pay Rs 1,200 for five subjects. Only in Delhi, the SC/ST students paid Rs 50, while the balance was paid by the Delhi government. 

CBSE examination controller Sanyam Bhardwaj told ANI: “Now Delhi government may reimburse the fees paid by SC/ST students or pay it for them. Method of payment will be an internal matter between the Delhi government and students.”

While speaking to The Logical Indian, Anindita Dey, PGT (English), Army Public School, Binnaguri, says: ” Such a decision is applicable in case of CBSE and government schools. In the case of private schools, guardians are always on their feet to acquaint themselves to such economical amendments.”

“CBSE should have given it a thought before raising it to a double hike which is bound to affect the pupils who belong to the economically backward community. Where is the difference between the Central Board and the ICSE Board that are privately owned?” she adds.

Following news reports that CBSE has increased its board exam fees, the Central Education Board clarified that the hike has been implemented across India and not just Delhi as suggested.

#cbse @PIB_India @PIBHindi @PIBHRD @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/lYJ6LokAPQ

— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) August 11, 2019

Schools which have already started their registration process as per the old fee structure have now been directed to collect the difference in the amount as per the revised fee structure. 

To opt for an additional subject in the Class 12 board examination, the SC and the ST students, who earlier had to pay no extra fee, will now pay Rs 300. General category students will also have to pay Rs 300 for an additional subject, instead of Rs 150.

All the visually-impaired students will be exempted from paying the CBSE examination fees. 

Students who fail to deposit the difference in CBSE examination fee before the deadline will not be registered or allowed to appear in the 2019-20 examination.

“This hike has brought CBSE fee at par with other central board NIOS, which charges Rs 1,800 for male candidates, Rs 1,450 for females and Rs 1,200 for SC/ST candidates,” a board official told The Hindu.

The migration fees, which was Rs 150 earlier, has also been increased to Rs 350 under the revised fee structure. 

The students enrolled in the CBSE schools abroad will have to pay Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 5,000 for five subjects for both Class 10 and 12. For them, the fees for an additional subject in Class 12 is now Rs 2,000 as against Rs 1,000 earlier.

Parents Association Demands Withdrawal

“In India where parents are sceptical of sending their children to school and see schools as a means of filling their stomach through mid-day meals, this increase in board fees will again hinder the aspiration of a high literacy rate. We might see increasing dropouts from marginalised communities. The decision taken by CBSE should have given some concessions for BPL students irrespective of General or reserved categories,” Vibhanshu Kumar, a parent told The Logical Indian.

All India Parents Association (AIPA) has strongly opposed the decision of the CBSE to double the fees of Class X and XII board examinations. They have called the decision ‘unconstitutional’ and has demanded an immediate withdrawal. 

All India Parents Association opposes hike in CBSE Exam fees & demands withdrawal, says, it is unconstitutional & against right to education of students. Such move of CBSE would adversely affect education of children of masses, says, AIPA National President Adv Ashok Agarwal pic.twitter.com/oCexgjNx7l

— Ashok Agarwal (@socialjurist) August 12, 2019

Advocate and President of All India Parents Association, Ashok Aggarwal said that the decision by the CBSE will be challenged in the court.“Such move on part of the CBSE would adversely affect the education of children of the masses,” he said. 

“The Government needs to provide free and quality school education as a fundamental right to every child. An average family income of over 70 per cent of our population is below Rs 6000 per month. How we can expect from such families to spend income on CBSE examination fee for classes X and XII?” he asked, criticising the decision. 

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