With no relief in college fees ‘many are dropping out of higher education’

College students argue that as they are attending class remotely, they aren’t utilising services included in the present fee structure . Pic for representation only

Over six months after a committee, instituted to review fee structures of colleges in light of the pandemic, submitted its report, action on its recommendations remain to be taken.

The JP Dange Committee was formed to restructure fees of colleges, following opposition from student organisations to paying fees for services such as gymkhana, library, laboratory and canteen, which were not being utilised by students attending class remotely. The committee submitted its report in September 2020. But, it has been almost six months, and there is still no directive by the government. "It is unfair to ask students to pay for services, they are not using when colleges are shut," said Amar Ekad from Surajya Vidyarthi Sanghatna, a student organisation, which had raised concerns over college fees. He added, "Following many requests to review the fees, a committee was formed. The report was submitted to the government in September. Contents of the report have not been shared with us yet."

Ekad added, "With no relief, students are dropping out of higher education." Dhanraj Mane, director of Higher Education, said, "There is no directive as yet." Om Prakash Gupta, principal secretary of higher and technical education department was unavailable for comment. A source from the Mantralaya, said, "The report was submitted to an outgoing secretary of the department. But, there has been no development on it."