Students registering for the external and private HSC and SSC examinations 2023, were asked to pay additional fees while filling up their examination application forms, for their preferred choices of schools or junior colleges. The exams are supposed to be conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE)
External and private students can register for the examinations through Form no 17, which is also useful for ones who have left school because of social, economic, family or personal problems.
Mandar Shinde, a child rights activist and convenor at Action for the Rights of the Child (ARC), said they approached the state board and the divisional board officer after receiving such complaints from students. “We had received several such complaints from various organisations and children that we work with. We tried to resolve the issue at the divisional board but they could not initiate action as the schools and junior colleges come under the education department… The authorities have assured us that they will take action against schools brought to their notice.”
Sharad Gosavi, the chairman of the MSBSHSE, said that an official letter has been issued to all divisional centres to ensure that no student is asked to pay an additional fee. “A complete inspection report will be sought with respect to this matter. Defaulting schools or junior colleges will have to face action.”