JSC examinees from different schools in Itna, Mithamoin, Nikli, Karimganj, Bazitpur, Katiadi, Pakundia and Tarail upazilas of the district are being forced to pay extra fees for examinations, as authorities of the institutions ignore the guidelines set by the education board in this regard.
This has created an additional burden for parents and guardians, especially those who are insolvent, ahead of the important examinations. The education board authorities have fixed the total fees at Tk220, which includes Tk80 centre fees and Tk140 examination fees.
However many school authorities in the district are taking Tk550 to Tk1,500 from students, alleged students and guardians.
Md. Belayet Hossain, head teacher of Nikli Jaroitola High School, admitted to charging extra fees and claimed that they were taking the extra money from students for additional expenditure that was not covered by the board fees.
He said his school used the extra money to pay for two things. “The JSC examinees are given coaching classes after school, for which the teachers have to be paid. And some underprivileged students are unable to pay, so we have to cover their costs by taking from others.”
According to an anonymous student of Jaroitola High School in Nikli, the schools are charging a minimum of Tk550 as JSC Examination fees from each candidate, ignoring the official instructions.
“The authorities of schools are charging excessive fees, which is too much for those of us who do not earn that much,” said a rickshaw-puller, Abdul Hakim, father of a JSC examinee, from the High School.
Taskia Haque, a social worker, said underprivileged guardians were worried as institutions were ignoring the official instructions and charging much more than the amount fixed by the education board.
Kishoreganj District Education Officer, Harun-Ar-Rashid Sarker said, “If I get any written allegation from the students or their guardians regarding extra fees, I will take necessary action against the management or authority of the institution concerned according to law.”