Criticism Mounts as Colleges Impose Restrictive Conditions on Exam Fee Relief
Students from drought-affected regions are facing a daunting challenge as colleges roll out fee waivers laden with oppressive terms and conditions. Despite the government’s initiative to provide relief to affected students, the implementation of fee waivers has stirred controversy due to stringent eligibility criteria imposed by colleges.
Under the guise of offering assistance, colleges have issued orders mandating stringent requirements for fee waivers, leaving many deserving students struggling to meet the criteria. Terms such as a cap on family income, restrictions on availing other government scholarships or concessions, and the demand for proof of income have only added to the burden on students already grappling with the aftermath of drought.
The oppressive conditions imposed by colleges include:
- Students taking other educational concessions of the government will not benefit from this.
- Students who have appeared in the same examination for the second time will not benefit from this.
- Students whose parents live in the city, work, and do business, but have agriculture in their name, will not benefit from this.
The issuance of circulars by Savitribai Phule Pune University outlining the procedures for fee waivers has prompted colleges to enforce conditions that seem to exclude rather than assist students in need. With colleges setting short deadlines for submission of required documents, the likelihood of deserving students being overlooked is alarmingly high.
Students’ organizations have raised concerns over the government’s approach, accusing authorities of dangling the promise of fee waivers while subjecting students to onerous eligibility criteria. The lack of clarity and flexibility at both the university and college levels has resulted in confusion and frustration among students seeking financial relief.
Several reputable colleges in Pune have come under fire for imposing oppressive conditions, including barring students who receive other educational concessions or those retaking examinations from benefiting from fee waivers. Additionally, students whose parents engage in non-agricultural occupations but have agricultural land in their name are also being excluded from the benefits.
Amidst mounting criticism, students and activists are calling for a reassessment of the fee waiver policies to ensure equitable access to education for all drought-affected students. The current approach, marred by restrictive conditions and bureaucratic hurdles, threatens to exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable students already struggling to pursue their academic aspirations.
