Low-income group students left in the lurch
Desperate students seek help from the TSCHE to pay college fees
A new nightmare is haunting students from the State, who are already at the crossroads of education because of the lockdown — how to pay examination fees during a crisis of this unprecedented magnitude? This is more so for those belonging to the economically poor strata.
This comes in the wake of reminders from their respective colleges and universities demanding urgent payment of examination fee. The shellshocked students have represented to the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) Chairman Prof. T. Papi Reddy and sought his intervention and to ensure justice for the students, who cannot afford to pay huge amounts. They have pleaded for waiver of degree examination fee and bringing respite to the students and save a precious academic year.
MA Moheed, Vice-President, NSUI, Hyderabad, pointed out that the TSCHE Chairman had rejected the request and allegedly said that those who cannot afford to pay the fee should write the exams in the next semester.
“Such an appalling statement is causing heartburn. Lives of thousands of students are at stake right now. We urge the State Government and TSCHE to particularly help students and parents from low-income groups,” said Moheed.
Students from various colleges also raised the issue with this correspondent. Vishal Chaula from Dr BR Ambedkar Degree and PG College, whose father runs a sari shop, said, “The lockdown has had adverse effect on our family business. My father was unable to earn anything in the last three months. When I told him about the fees, he said he did not have the money. The college authorities don’t respond to our pleas and keep sending ‘urgent payment’ messages every day.”
Another student from Avanthi Degree and PG College, on condition of anonymity, said, “My father has been ill for the past six months and does not work. My mother, the sole bread-earner, works at a small shoe repair shop, which has been shut during the lockdown. We are managing a meal each day by borrowing from people. How can I pay the examination fee?”
A student from Pragathi Mahavidyalaya Degree College even said that the college is accepting examination fees only on full payment of college fees.
Responding to the situation, Prof. Papi Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that it is for the universities and colleges to decide on fee collection since that is the only source of income for them.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chairman Prof. Limbadri said, “Our guidelines are only advisory in nature. As for those claiming that they cannot afford to pay, they must understand that the situation is similar for everyone.”