Students of Rajshahi Government Women’s College on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the National University’s regional office in Rajshahi, protesting against what they described as an ‘abrupt and unreasonable’ increase in form-fill-up fees.
They submitted the memorandum with a nine-point demand, including immediate withdrawal of the increased fees.
The students alleged that the university authorities increased the fees without any prior announcement, creating an unbearable burden for middle- and lower-income families.
According to the memorandum, the students demanded the withdrawal of the hiked fees, fixation of all fees at affordable levels, no future decisions without prior consultation with students, setting improvement exam fees at a maximum of Tk 300, re-evaluation fees not exceeding Tk 100, certificate collection fees capped at Tk 200, special financial support for underprivileged meritorious students, adequate teachers and classrooms to ensure at least 60 per cent class attendance and proper evaluation of exam scripts.
The students said that in the 2022–23 academic session, the total cost for form fill-up and related fees was Tk 7,900 per student, but this year it was raised to Tk 10,500 without explanation.
‘This is an irrational pressure and completely unacceptable,’ said geography and environment department student Kuheli Farzana.
Mohammad Touhiduzzaman, acting director of NU Rajshahi regional office, said that they received the receipt of the memorandum.
‘The matter has been forwarded to the NU vice-chancellor and the controller of examinations. They will decide the next course of action,’ he said.
