SC dismisses plea for waiver of exam fees for Class 10, 12 CBSE students

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a PIL seeking waiver of exam fees for Class 10 and 12 students in the current academic year due to financial problems being faced by many parents  in view of COVID-19.

"How can the court direct the government to do this? You should give a representation to the government... Dismissed," a Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said dismissing NGO Social Jurist's petition against the September 28 order of the Delhi High Court.

While refusing to issue directions to the Delhi Government and the CBSE, the High Court had asked the AAP government and the CBSE to treat the PIL as a representation and take a decision in three weeks "in accordance with law, rules, regulations and government policy applicable to the facts of the case".

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the income of parents has either disappeared or declined to such a level that it has become difficult for them to arrange even two meals for their families, the NGO contended.

The High Court's order has resulted in denial of relief to 30 lakh students in the country and three lakh are in Delhi alone, it said, adding either the CBSE be asked to waive off the exams fee or the Centre should pay the money from the PM Cares Fund.

For Delhi students, the AAP government should be asked to foot the bill, it said.

"In the current year 2020-21, CBSE has demanded examination fee of Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 from students of Class X and Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,400 from Class XII students depending upon number of subjects, practical, etc.," the plea stated.

In the last academic year, the Delhi Government had paid examination fees to the CBSE for students of Class X and XII, but in 2020-21, it has refused to do so citing financial crunch, the NGO said.