New Delhi, 8 November 2021 – The Maharashtra state government has announced that the exam fee for Maharashtra state board students, who have lost their parents to COVID-19, will be waived off. All students appearing for Class 10 and Class 12 Maharashtra board exams can avail the fee waiver scheme.
The aid applies to students who:
- Are studying in Class 10 and Class 12 in a Maharashtra board-affiliated school.
- Have lost either one or both their parents to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maharashtra Education Minister, Varash Gaikwad, took to Twitter and announced the decision for fee waiver. She stated, “A small solace from our side to children who have lost their parents to the pandemic – exam fee for state board exams 2021-22 is being waived off.” The education minister also mentioned that students have gone through a lot already; however, their education must continue.
Here is the tweet by the education minister:
A small solace from our side to children who have lost their parents to the pandemic – exam fee for state board exams 2021-22 is being waived off. We are aware they have gone through a lot already, but their education must continue. @CMOMaharashtra @AjitPawarSpeaks @bb_thorat pic.twitter.com/CuI4dfMB5t
— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) December 2, 2021
Note: With the pandemic disrupting families around the country, state governments are coming forward with fee waivers to help COVID-stricken students continue their education.
Maharashtra Board Fee Waiver and the COVID-19 Virus
The decision to waive off the fee is applicable for the academic year 2021-2022. As per recent data from the government, the total number of COVID cases in Maharashtra was 66,39,995 cases. Out of these, there have been nearly 1,41,200 deaths due to the virus.
Here’s a brief look at Maharashtra’s COVID stats:
| State | Maharashtra |
| Total Cases | 66,39,995 |
| Active Cases | 10,121 |
| Deaths | 1,41,200 |
| Discharged | 64,88,680 |
This unprecedented number of deaths has left a scar on several students who have lost one or both of their parents. Thus, the state government has come forward with fee waiver to help students continue their education in these turbulent times.
Note: Schools in Maharashtra were scheduled to open for junior classes from December. The government also released all guidelines that were to be followed by the schools during re-opening. However, reopening of schools in Mumbai and Pune was postponed in the view of the Omicron threat. The government will take further decisions on the matter on December 15.
