KEA introduces option entry fee for professional course seat allotment
A section of students is irked by the KEA decision, while officials justified it. KEA officials made it clear that this is not a new fee and is required to ensure total transparency in the entire process.
According to the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO), Mysuru district committee, this year, CET candidates are asked to make a Rs 750 payment during the option entry process. "Imposing an additional Rs 750 at the option entry stage is not only burdensome but also reveals an exploitative mindset.
With over 4 lakh students participating in this process, the move will generate a staggering revenue of over Rs 300 crore for KEA," the organisation alleged.
"What is the real purpose behind this fee? Is it meant to serve any genuine administrative necessity, or is it simply a method of extracting money from students and their families?" they questioned.
KEA, as a state govt body, should be facilitating education, not profiting from it.
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At a time when higher education is becoming increasingly inaccessible to students from economically weaker backgrounds, such policies only worsen the situation and increase the financial pressure on aspiring youth, said Nithin, district secretary, AIDSO Mysuru. "We strongly condemn this anti-student step and demand the immediate withdrawal of the option entry fee.
We appeal to all students, parents, and concerned citizens to raise their voices against this unjust imposition and stand united for affordable and equitable education," he stated.
Meanwhile, KEA officials justified the decision. KEA executive director H Prasanna Kumar informed that it is a one-time payment. "Last year, we took Rs 750 during college fee payment. Now we are asking before that," he said. "The reason behind this exercise is to let interested students only fill the option because after the first round of seat allotment, around 14,000 students didn't select the appropriate choice last year," he said.
Sources in the state higher education department informed that this fee will ensure that the authorities can track the students who make option entries. "It will help the govt in its effort to end the seat blocking menace," said an officer.
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