ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), is set to enhance fees by 8 to 50 per cent in different categories.

It also plans to revise remuneration rates for the teaching and allied staff performing examination duties, sources in the education ministry disclosed.

The increased rates have been proposed for students studying in Pakistan, while those studying abroad at FBISE affiliated institutions have been exempted.

This decision is in contravention of the policy followed by some government departments to levy higher charges on Pakistanis living abroad in view of their better financial position.

The increase has been recommended by the 4-member sub- committee of the FBISE’s finance committee, that was set up to review the fees and remuneration enhancement case for the board.

This step has been taken to counter the rise in expenses incurred in postal charges, courier services, tentative increase in wages of board employees and additional burden borne by the FBISE due to increase in the cost of POL, utility bills and packing material.

Members of the committee informed Dawn, that they had held five meetings, in which a detailed study of the fees structure and remuneration rates of the board was carried out and compared with that of the other boards in the country.

According to the decision of the committee, registration fee charged at Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level has been proposed to be increased by 13.4 per cent from current rate of Rs150 to Rs170.

The increase in examination admission fees for various exams held by the board is planned between eight per cent to 11 per cent. They said the committee took special care not to overburden the parents financially.

A 50 per cent increase from Rs100 to Rs150 has been recommended for improvement of grade and marks. This amount would be in addition to the normal fees for improvement of marks/grades both for SSC and HSSC examinations. The committee also recommended increase in affiliation and inspection fee for affiliated institutions.

In view of the increase in cost of living, committee has proposed revision of remuneration rates for the officials performing examination duties.

Committee has observed that FBISE earnings would increase, but it has been advised to curtail its expenses of utilities, fuel and other allied expenditures to enable the board to meet its financial obligations from within its own resources. —Zahra Syed