Students of Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) organized a protest on Monday against an increase in college fees. The college administration’s recent notification revealed a staggering 185% fee hike, impacting students across various categories.
According to the college’s notification, the admission fee for open-merit students rose from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000.
Additionally, those seeking admission on a self-finance basis are now required to pay an admission fee of Rs 100,000 and a total of Rs 1.2 million. Moreover, the tuition fee for students has also been raised from Rs 50,000 to Rs 117,600.
Students have appealed to Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab to intervene and revoke the fee hike, citing the financial burden it imposes amidst the country’s ongoing financial crisis.
KMC city council member Taimur Ahmed labelled the fee increase as extortionate. He also highlighted the contradiction of raising transport fees by 80% for students despite a reduction in petrol prices.
The council member has urged Mayor Karachi to convene a council meeting to address these unjustified increases in educational and developmental charges.