RTMNU exam fees hike

Nagpur University has no qualms about renting out it grounds to private parties for a pittance on the one hand and giving a jolt to the students by effecting a steep hike in examination fees. It has increased exam fees for non-professional courses by 10% while for professional courses it is 20%. The new fees would be charged from winter examinations beginning in October.

Controller of examinations Siddarth Kane confirmed the hike and said it was effected as per management council`s decision of 2007. "The council had decided that every year the hike would be 10% for general courses like BA, BCom and BSc and 20% for all other courses. The fees would be hiked every year in the same percentage by default," he told TOI.

A senior NU official informed that students from faculties like arts, commerce and science will have to pay an extra Rs 150 to Rs 200 for exams and Rs 62 for practicals. For other courses, they have to shell out Rs 103 extra compared to last year. This proposal was initially placed by outgoing NU administration before previous senate where 30 to 40% hike was proposed. However, members and students organizations fiercely opposed the move that forced the officials to reduce it.

Expectedly, students fraternity cried foul and termed the increase unjustified. "First we had increase in petrol prices and now examination fees. Education is one of the basic needs but it is getting costlier each day, putting the students into jeopardy," said Abhijeet Bose, a commerce student . "The university is just busy minting money and unable to provide basic facilities to students during examinations. At most of the exam centres, there are no good benches while at some there are no fans," he complained.

Shalaka Khare, an arts student, was not satisfied with teaching methods. "The hike is unacceptable as they are not increasing the quality of education. The hike might bring a fortune for NU but it is a big loss for us," she said. Some students like Snehal Srivastava felt that noble profession of education had now become totally commercialized. "The students from weak economic background are unable to cope with such increases. Moreover, the rate of increment in fees and quality are not in step. The quality of education is actually deteriorating," she added.

Engineering student Shivam Sharma said, "The fee for a single semester was already Rs 1,500. The hike is not justified as NU is not providing any new facilities to students. The officials should provide us with a clear picture where this extra money is going." Another student Mohit Gharpure said, "With 20% fee hike, the university should at least increase the quality of education by 5%. There should be transparency in evaluation system and proper infrastructure."