The schools across the country are realising almost four times higher than the fees prescribed by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education for registration of Secondary School Certificate examinations.
Though the education board has fixed Tk1,100 as registration fee for students of Humanitarian Group and Tk1,200 for Science Group, most schools are overcharging – sometimes amounting to Tk5,000.
The school authorities are realising extra fees in the name of coaching classes and model tests.
“Even if we do not do coaching classes and take model tests in schools, we have to pay extra fee,” said a student of Ideal School and College in Motijheel.
The guardians from low-income group are struggling to manage extra fees and also worry about their children’s registration for SSC examinations.
The city’s Ideal School and College in Motijheel is charging Tk4,500-Tk5,000 for SSC registration depending on students’ result in Test examinations.
Contacted, college Principal Shahan Ara Begum admitted that the school was charging extra, but attributed the realisation of additional fees to coaching classes and model tests prior to SSC examinations.
“We charge Tk3,000 for coaching classes and model tests. If students do coaching classes and sit for model tests elsewhere, they will also have to pay higher than the amount,” she said.
Viqarunnisa Noon School and College realises Tk4,100 from students of Humanitarian and Commerce Groups and Tk4,250 of Science Group.
College Principal Manju Ara Begum told the Dhaka Tribune they were not charging higher than the fees fixed by the board.
“For registration, we take the amount of money prescribed by the education board, but the extra is realised as tuition fee,” she said.
Students of Monipur High School and College told the Dhaka Tribune the school was charging Tk4,200 for registration.
Despite repeated attempts, college Principal Farhad Hossain could not be reached for comments on Saturday. Shaheed Smrity High School in Mirpur is charging Tk4,000 for SSC registration.
School headmaster Shahjahan Chowdhury admitted taking extra fees for registration, but said those were considered bill for coaching classes.
The Dhaka Tribune Barisal correspondent reported that Mathuranath and Kawnia Girls’ Schools are charging Tk2,000-2,500, Sareswat Girls’ and A Wahed Girls’ Schools Tk2,500-Tk2,800, Collegiate School Tk2,545-Tk2,600, Udayan (missionary) Tk2,255-Tk2,390 and Halima Khatun Girls’ School Tk2,210 -Tk2,400.
Halim Ahmed, a guardian whose child goes to Ideal School and College, Motijheel told the Dhaka Tribune the school continued charging extra for different academic purposes.
“We do not see effective measures from the government to stop school from charging extra from the guardians,” he said.
Contacted, Taslima Begum, chairman, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, told the Dhaka Tribune schools were not allowed to charge higher than the fees prescribed by the board.
“If we get complaints from the guardians, we will take action against those schools charging extra,” she said.
