NEFIS writes to BOSEM on raising examination fees, AMSU urges
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2019:
In connection with the issue of charging high examination fees from students who are appearing for the upcoming board examination, North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS), submitted a memorandum to the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) Chairperson, Th Kirankumar today.
A press release issued by member, NEFIS, Manipur unit noted that the exam fee submission for HSLC examination has been made through online mode as well.
It should be noted that majority of students who are going to appear in the HSLC examinations are studying in Government schools, said NEFIS.
These students mostly come from deprived backgrounds and would therefore find it extremely difficult to pay the exorbitant fees being charged, asserted NEFIS while adding that it is the Government's primary responsibility to make public education accessible for those coming from marginalized sections.
As such, very high fees would be contrary to the stated purpose of public education, it added.
On the other hand, the students and their families have very poor access to internet facilities and as such making fee submission available through online mode would be a cause of unnecessary trouble for them.
Regarding these concerns, NEFIS has demanded, in the memorandum, to reduce the fees for HSLC examination and to charge normal fees.
It further demanded that fees submission should be made available through offline mode as well.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has urged the Government and private higher secondary schools to reimburse excess amount they received from students for registration of Class XI and XII examinations.
The institutions should not take more than what was set by the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), said AMSU president in-charge Laishram Athouba at the union's office at DM campus this evening.
The Council had set Rs 3,000 as registration (form fill-up) fee and Rs 250 per subject (Practical).
Schools which had taken more than the amount set by the Council should reimburse the balance to the students at the earliest and they should maintain a registry to reflect the transactions as proof, he said.
Further, to ease the registration process and remove any ambiguity, Council has agreed to include the extra practical and certificate fees in the registration fee from the next session, he informed.
He also advised students not to give more than amount set by the Council.