External and private student candidates who have registered for the HSC and SSC examinations in February-March 2023, which are to be conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), are required to fill out their examination application forms after several examinations the obstacle was encountered. Among them were asked to pay the additional fee by the contact centres in their preferred schools or junior colleges. External and private students can register for the examinations through Form No. 17, which is also helpful for those who have dropped out of school due to social, economic, family or personal problems.
“I completed the online form and paid the mandatory examination fee by stopping in a cyber cafe. When I went to a junior college to submit my forms for verification, I was asked to pay Rs.6,000. I could not pay the fees and left for another junior college at Nana Peth. There too, they asked for Rs 500, but at least I had to submit my exam form,” said a 17-year-old student, requesting anonymity.
Pratiksha Hawala, an activist at Manodaya Kendra, Shivajinagar, explained that many students were not permitted to submit their forms in schools or junior colleges. “Many students stepped away from the education system due to social and economic problems. One such student, a 17-year-old girl appearing for her class 10th examination, was not allowed to submit her form as the college cited the non-availability of seats. The student was asked to try a college centre in Alandi. His parents asked him to leave his studies. It is sad that when we try to bring such students back into the education system, such issues make access even more difficult.
Mandar Shinde, child rights activist and convener of Action for the Rights of the Child (ARC), said he had contacted the state board and Mandal board officials after receiving such complaints from students. “We had received many such complaints from various organizations and children we work with. We tried to resolve the issue in the divisional board, but they could not initiate action as the schools and junior colleges come under the education department.
MSBSHSE President Sharad Gosavi said that all the divisional centres had issued an official letter to ensure that no student is asked to pay an extra fee. “A full inspection report will be sought in respect of this matter. Defaulting schools or junior colleges will face action.
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