Hyderabad: OU students are unhappy as they are being forced to pay examination fees from their own pockets. A majority of the OU students depend on scholarships which are never released on time by the state government forcing students to pay from their own pockets.
Till last year students had the option of submitting an undertaking saying that the university can deduct exam fees from scholarships which used to be deposited with colleges.
However, now that the government has decided to deposit scholarships directly into the bank accounts of students, the university is unsure whether the students will pay their fees after getting money and has decided not to accept undertakings from students.
While some students have already paid their exam fees as the last date has passed others are hoping that the university will start accepting undertakings before November 28, which is the last date for paying fees with fine. The number is highest in Arts College where 90 per cent of the students are yet to pay their exam fees.
A first year student of Botany department said, "Government representatives speak of scholarships as if we get education for free. I get a scholarship of about Rs 1,050 per month which does not cover even mess fees and is just enough for paying hostel deposit and a part of exam fees. The government does not give even that on time. I managed to pay my fees but some students in my class do not want to ask for money from home and are hoping that the university will accept undertakings before November 28 with late fee."
The issue of hostel and mess fees still continues due to the same reason as everyday many students visit the chamber of principals in the university to request a cut in hostel deposit, arguing that they will pay the remaining amount once they receive scholarship money.
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