Mr. Ali vehemently demanded immediate action against such practices, emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair access to education for all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. He highlighted the egregious nature of some institutions charging exorbitant fees for attendance, with amounts reaching up to thousands of rupees.

"Students are the future of our nation, and it is imperative that they are provided with a conducive environment for learning," stated Mr. Ali during the meeting. "The burden of attendance fees only serves to exacerbate the challenges faced by students, particularly those already struggling with financial constraints."

One of the primary concerns raised by Mr. Ali was the hindrance these fees pose to students' concentration and academic performance. He emphasized that education should be a means of empowerment, not a source of financial burden and stress.

Mr. Ali proposed a solution whereby the District Education Welfare Officer (DWO) should promptly dispatch a directive to all educational institutions, instructing them to issue hall tickets to all students, irrespective of whether they have paid attendance fees. This measure, he argued, would alleviate the undue pressure on students and allow them to focus on their studies without undue distractions.

"The denial of hall tickets based on the inability to pay attendance fees is not only discriminatory but also runs counter to the principles of equity and inclusivity in education," Mr. Ali asserted.

Secretary Smt. Shruti Ojha, IAS, assured Mr. Ali of the Board's commitment to addressing the issue promptly. She pledged to initiate necessary measures to ensure that students are not unjustly deprived of their right to education due to financial constraints imposed by institutions.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to work collaboratively towards implementing policies that uphold the fundamental principles of accessibility and fairness in education.

As the dialogue continues, stakeholders remain hopeful that concerted efforts will lead to meaningful reforms, safeguarding the educational rights and aspirations of students across the region.