Education boards introduce new charges for matric exams

Amid a severe financial crisis, the education boards have introduced a "heavy fee bomb" for students taking the 9th and 10th (matriculation) annual examinations in March 2025, causing a strong backlash from parents. The boards have also introduced development funds for students.

The Boards Committee has released the fee schedule for the 2025 annual examinations. The certificate fee is now Rs1,000, the processing fee Rs870, and a development fund of Rs350 has been introduced. Next year, each student will pay a total fee of Rs4,380 to take the matriculation exam. Previously, this fee was Rs2,700.

The nine education boards in Punjab are grappling with severe financial struggles, leading the government to abolish them and establish a single provincial board. Preparations and efforts have also been made to remove the legal challenges that prompted the board's employees to protest.

Admission fees for both regular and private students have been standardised, with the following breakdown: Rs1,800, for the admission fee, Rs870 for processing, Rs280 for sports, Rs80 scholarship fee, Rs350 for development fund and Rs1,000 certificate fee. Submissions with single fees are accepted from November 2-27, double fees from November 28-December 11, and triple fees from December 12-24.

All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPS&CA) President Irfan Muzaffar Kayani criticised the increase, calling it a burden on low-income families and advocating a 40-50% reduction.

Parents have rejected the fee increase. A parent, Haji Shafiullah, called for its immediate withdrawal and demanded free education up to matriculation.