Students from Government College Peshawar and other public colleges staged a strong protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly against a substantial increase in examination fees, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the additional charges.
Students protest outside Assembly against increase in exam fees
PESHAWAR, Jun 15 (APP): Students from Government College Peshawar and other public colleges staged a strong protest outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly against a substantial increase in examination fees, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the additional charges.
The protesters claimed that the Higher Education Department and college administrations had allegedly imposed a significant hike in examination fees, placing a heavy financial burden on students and their families.
According to the students, the examination fee was previously around Rs. 5,000, but various additional charges and funds have now increased the amount substantially. They alleged that fees have risen by approximately Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 11,000 due to the inclusion of charges such as sports funds and other miscellaneous fees.
The students argued that many of them have no involvement in sports activities, yet they are being required to pay sports-related charges, which they described as unfair.
They further stated that the total fee for eight semesters, which was previously around Rs. 9,000, has now increased to nearly Rs. 20,000, making it difficult for students from middle- and low-income families to continue their education.
Protesters said that their parents work hard to support their studies, but the continuous increase in educational expenses has added further financial pressure. They warned that rising costs could discourage young people from pursuing higher education and negatively affect their future prospects.
Addressing the demonstration, Government College Peshawar student Ali Aman urged the Provincial Minister for Education and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take immediate notice of the issue and reverse the fee increase.
“Students should be in their classrooms, but the sudden rise in fees has forced us onto the streets,” he said.
The protesters warned that if the fee hike is not withdrawn, they will expand their protest movement in the coming days.
