Several students outfits have called for protests outside the head office of CBSE (Central Board for Secondary Examination ) today. This was done after the board has decided to hike the fee for all candidates of Class X and XII board examinations while restored the same fee for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students in Delhi government schools.
The fees for SC and ST students in Delhi, who were paying only ₹50 and for which the Delhi government was giving the rest of the amount as a subsidy, was raised to ₹1,200. Anurag Tripathi, CBSE Secretary said that for the remaining student except for SC/ST, the hiked fee will be ₹1,150. The Board will take up reimbursement possibilities with the Delhi government after finalization of the number of candidates.
“The Delhi government has agreed in principle to pay the remainder of hiked amount for all SC/ST students studying in it’s or aided schools,” Mr. Tripathi said. The fees for Class X and XII general category students were doubled from ₹750 to ₹1,500 for five subjects in the last week.
Mr. Tripathi added, “CBSE’s expenditure on Class X and XII exams amounted to approximately ₹500 crore last year. Earnings from student exam fees were less than ₹250 crore. This resulted in a deficit of more than ₹200 crore last year. In previous years, the deficit was covered by the profits gained from conducting professional entrance exams, which have now moved to the National Testing Agency. By doubling the student exam fees, we will come back to a no profit, no loss situation.”
Mr. Tripathi also mentioned measures to make the examination leak-proof and to improve the speed and quality of the evaluation, as well as higher paper, printing, and transport rates have increased costs.
Nationwide Protests against the Decision-
The All India Democratic Students’ Organization called for a nationwide protest. CBSE’s decision condemned by many which are apparently giving fuel to nation’s most debated Reservation Issue.
