Private college hikes fees, stops defaulting students from attending classes

Several students of Sree Muthukumaraswamy College in Kodungaiyur have alleged that they have not been allowed to attend classes since August 3 due to the non-payment of fees, which was increased this academic year.

The fees were increased by ₹1,000 to ₹16,000 for second year and by ₹2,000 to ₹17,000 for third year students. “We were told of the increase in fees only a week before the college reopened on June 15. We were told to pay the entire fees in a lump sum for the semester with hardly a month to mobilise the funds,” a student said.

The students said that the increase in fees was announced on June 7 and the entire semester fees were to be paid by July 31.

“The failure to pay the fees by the due date will result in the non-enrollment of attendance in the portal,” according to a message from the faculty.

‘Hike not justified’

“They have not justified the increase in fees. They have neither clarified the reason to move to a different procedure of fee collection, as usually we get to pay the amount in two installments,” said another student of the college.

However, this time the students were asked to pay the fees upfront, causing distress to many. “My father is a driver. We hardly make enough to make ends meet and to pay a huge amount altogether has been difficult. I have missed two weeks of classes. I do not know how I will catch up for the upcoming exam,” said a second-year student.

The students alleged that the college management threatened them with expulsion after they protested.

Since then, the students have registered a complaint with the University of Madras, written to the Chief Minister, and lodged complaints at the Chief Minister’s Cell.

“We want more time to pay the fees as many of us are from poor socio-economic background, children of single parents. We also want proper facilities in the college such as a good playground, a well-built canteen, and hygienic toilets,” a student demanded. A senior faculty of the college said that the students were intimated of the increase in fees in April 2026 via WhatsApp.

“They might not have informed their parents. They were given three months notice. We haven’t increased the fee in a long time and hence, did it now,” the teacher said.

When asked about the issue, Registrar of University of Madras Rita John said, “We will look into the matter. The well-being of the students is of utmost importance.”