The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has announced a hike in examination fees for Std X and Std XII students, further burdening parents already grappling with the rising cost of living.
As per the revised structure, the Std X exam fee has been increased by ₹100, bringing it to ₹420, while Std XII students will now pay ₹470, marking an increase of ₹170. This is the third hike in recent years, sparking concern among parents and students alike.
In Nagpur district alone, approximately 60,000 to 70,000 students appear for the SSC (Std X) exams and around 40,000 to 45,000 students for the HSC (Std XII) exams each year. With students typically beginning their preparations months in advance, the sudden rise in fees has come as an added challenge for many families.
Defending the move, the Board stated that the hike was necessary to cover rising operational costs, including printing of question papers and answer sheets, remuneration for supervisors, and other administrative expenses. The Board cited ongoing financial losses and escalating expenditures as key reasons behind the decision.
However, parents and citizens have voiced strong disapproval, calling the timing “insensitive” amid an ongoing economic crunch. “Everything is getting expensive. Even during this crisis, the Board has increased exam fees instead of providing relief. It’s unfair to students and middle-class families,” said one aggrieved parent.
The decision underscores the growing financial pressures on educational institutions, but also highlights the economic strain faced by middle- and lower-income households, for whom education-related expenses continue to rise year after year.
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