RONO HILLS, Hundreds of students belonging to various colleges staged a peaceful dharna here on Thursday at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) campus against the hike for end semester exam fee to Rs. 700, practical exam fee to Rs. 600 and the mark sheet fee to Rs. 250.
The protesting students held placards saying “Stop making education a business.” Student representatives alleged that earlier the exam fee was Rs. 400, the practical fee was Rs. 300 and the mark sheet fee was Rs. 200. The students now demand the fees to be restored to the earlier order.
Clarifying upon the allegations, Registrar of RGU, Dr. NT Rikam said that the fee was preexisting since the 2018-19 session. But due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as exams were being conducted online, the fees were reduced in the year 2020. There was 60 per cent exempt for inter-semester students and a 40 per cent exempt for outgoing students.
Dr Rikam further informed that the university held a virtual meeting with the principals from various colleges and unanimously decided that since the classes are being conducted offline, the examinations must also be conducted offline. However, upon recommendation from principals of various colleges, the board decided to deduct Rs. 100 or 15 per cent from the practical examination fees, whichever is higher.
Responding to the Rs. 100 deduction in the practical examination fees, the student community expressed dissatisfaction and still demanded for restoration of the earlier fee.
