Day after TBSE exam fee hike announcement, ABVP joins Opposition in demanding rollback

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Friday met the TBSE president and submitted a memorandum demanding a reconsideration of the decision to hike fees.

“We have noticed dissatisfaction among the students and teachers over an increase in examination fees. We want economically weaker students to have access to education. The decision to hike fees should be reconsidered,” said an ABVP leader.

Members of the CPI(M)’s students’ wing, Students’ Federation of India (SFI), protested outside the Siksha Bhawan in Agartala on Friday.

“The backbone of the education system in the state has been broken. TBSE has decided to hike fees in six categories without holding discussions with teachers, parents or students’ organisations. They said that they hiked the fees due to the hike in prices of essential things. We cannot accept this hike. If this decision is not withdrawn, we shall be forced to go for an extensive movement throughout the state,” said an SFI leader.

When asked about the issue, CM Manik Saha said, “This had to be done out of necessity. The price index is also increasing. The TBSE has increased the fees after a lot of thought. But even then, the increase is not much. I saw him (TBSE president) saying that the fees were lower than in other states.”

As per the revised fee structure, the examination fee for Class 10 has been hiked to Rs 300 from the existing Rs 120, and for Class 12, the fee has been hiked from Rs 150 to Rs 400.

Also, the fees for review of answer scripts and self-inspection have been raised from Rs 130 and Rs 250 to Rs 200 and Rs 500, respectively, among other charges.