Tamil Nadu bans examination fees in government and aided schools
The school education department has ordered school heads to cease collecting question paper charges from students in Classes VI to XII.
The Tamil Nadu school education department has directed heads of government and aided schools to stop charging students in Classes VI to XII for examinations and question paper costs, according to Urban Acres.
This directive follows an interim injunction by the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court under the Right to Education Act, which held that such collections violated the Act.
Chief education officers have been told to ensure this rule is followed in all schools under their control and to take action against any school heads who continue to demand these fees.
Government and aided schools typically collect between ₹100 and ₹150 per student for these expenses, which are usually sent to a printing press via a district coordinator.
S Arumainathan, president of the Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare Association, said that while the move is welcome, students still pay for scanned answer sheets and higher revaluation charges for subjects like Biology.
Parents and students can lodge formal complaints with the relevant chief education officer or call helpline 108 if the prohibited fees are still being collected.