Intermediate exam fee hike announced across Pakistan, here’s fee and penalty details
All 14 educational boards in Pakistan, including Rawalpindi Division, have announced a significant increase in examination fees for Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) students, set to take effect for the 2025 intermediate exams. This increase comes as financial pressures mount on educational institutions, yet the move has raised concerns for families already struggling with rising educational costs.
Under the new fee structure, regular students will now pay a total of Rs. 4,800, which includes Rs. 1,400 for arts students and Rs. 1,500 for science students. Private candidates face higher fees, with a total of Rs. 5,000; arts students will pay Rs. 1,500, and science students will pay Rs. 1,600. Additionally, each student, regardless of category, will be required to pay Rs. 1,000 each for registration, certification, and processing fees. A further Rs. 700 covers development, scholarship, and postal expenses. For students transferring from other boards, an extra Rs. 1,000 will be charged for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
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Here is a table summarizing the relevant information regarding the increased intermediate exam fees across Pakistan:
| Category | Arts Students | Science Students | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Students | Rs. 1,400 | Rs. 1,500 | Registration Fee: Rs. 1,000 |
| Certificate Fee: Rs. 1,000 | |||
| Processing Fee: Rs. 1,000 | |||
| Development, Scholarship & Postal Charges: Rs. 700 | |||
| Total Fee: Rs. 4,800 | |||
| Private Candidates | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 1,600 | Registration Fee: Rs. 1,000 |
| Certificate Fee: Rs. 1,000 | |||
| Processing Fee: Rs. 1,000 | |||
| Development, Scholarship & Postal Charges: Rs. 700 | |||
| Total Fee: Rs. 5,000 | |||
| Transfer Students | N/A | N/A | Additional NOC Fee: Rs. 1,000 |
Fee Submission Deadlines and Penalties
The deadlines for fee submissions have been outlined as follows:
| Submission Period | Fee Type | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| By November 27, 2024 | Single Fee | None |
| By December 11, 2024 | Double Fee | Double Original Fee |
| By December 24, 2024 | Triple Fee | Triple Original Fee |
| After December 24, 2024 | Late Submission Penalty | Rs. 200 daily until Feb 11, 2025 |
| February 11 – February 21, 2025 | Late Submission Penalty | Rs. 700 daily until Feb 21, 2025 |
Late submissions will incur daily penalties: Rs. 200 per day until February 11, 2025, escalating to Rs. 700 per day until February 21, 2025.
Parental Concerns Over Accessibility
The fee increase has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from parents who argue that education costs should be managed by the government as part of its constitutional duty. Parents like Nadeem Asghar and Faisal Mufti voiced concerns that such steep increases could place educational opportunities out of reach for low-income families, potentially forcing students to abandon their studies due to financial constraints.
