Delhi Govt’s Request to CBSE: Waive Exam Fees for Classes 10 and 12

Vinod Kakumanu
Sept. 30, 2021, 11:28 a.m.

Udit Prakash Rai, Director of Education, requested the CBSE board to waive examination fees for all grade 10 and 12 students studying in government and government-aided, Delhi Cantonment Board, Patrachar Vidyalaya, New Delhi Municipal Council, and Department of Social Welfare schools. The request was for a ‘one-time’ waiver for the current academic session 2021-22. The reason cited was economic crisis due to the pandemic. He stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in large-scale job losses. He further pointed out that as the schools have now reopened again, the parents are faced with the problem of paying the CBSE examination fee. Many parents have requested for help stating their incapability to pay due to income loss.

Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Controller of Examination, said that, being a policy matter, it has to be considered from all aspects before responding. There was a hike in the CBSE examination fee for class 10 and 12 students of general category in 2019. For class 10, the increase was from rs375 to rs1,500 for five subjects. For class 12 students, from rs600 to rs1,200, but could go up to rs2,500 including the extra fee for practicals and additional/optional subjects. CBSE announced the offering of a fee-waiver to students who lost both parents to the pandemic, but principals said that this will not be helpful to all students.

Last year, principals of government schools and various civil society members had helped students who could not pay the fee, by raising funds. This year too, many schools - including their staff - are trying to arrange money to help pay students’ fees through crowdfunding campaigns.