Pondicherry varsity students launch indefinite class boycott against fee hike

The students of Pondicherry Central University have launched an indefinite agitation against the university decision to increase the academic fees for the coming academic year. Combined students union have called for "class boycott", untill the decision is rolled back.

The Pondicherry Central University has recently announced its dates for entrance exams to various courses being offered by the campus. The fresh prospects and fee structure issued by the university show that fees to various courses and programmes have been increased. According to the combined students' union, fees in some courses have gone up by 225 per cent.

In MBA department, the fees has been increased by 125 per cent. A comparison with the fee structure of 2018-19 revealed that the total course fee has gone up from 74,200 to 1,66,800, for the fresh academic year. The average hike across various departments is roughly around 83 per cent as compared to the previous year.

"This is a deliberate attempt to take public education away from the reach of marginalised community. Already the fees here is much higher as compared to other central universities. But we come here because of the resources and exposure we get. If they keep on increasing the fees, students from poor families like me won't able to study," a student from the university said.

The combined students union have decided to continue with the agitation until the fee hike is revoked. They are also demanding hostel facility for SC/ST students from Pondicherry, re-implementation of external evaluation in semester exams and 25 per cent reservation for students from UT of Puducherry.

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