Delhi University Announces Full Fee-Waiver To Students Who Lost Parents Due To Covid

Delhi University has announced that students who have lost one or both parents due to Coronavirus infection will receive a full fee waiver.

Delhi university has announced fee waiver for orphaned students

New Delhi: The Delhi University has announced to produce a full fee waiver to students who lost one or both parents because of the Coronavirus infection. The statement was made by the vice-chancellor of DU on Friday. The university has written to its colleges requesting that they conduct a survey and compile a list of such students.

"The Delhi University has written to its colleges to conduct a survey of students who have lost their parents due to coronavirus. We have sought a report in the matter by Monday," Dean of Colleges, Balaram Pani, told PTI.

The fee waiver will be 100% for students who have lost either of their parents or both to the virus during both waves of the pandemic. They won't even have to pay any exam fees.

"At the varsity level, we know about the staffers whose wards are studying here and they would be given a fee waiver. At the college level, the college governing bodies will have to implement it. They will have to ask for certain documents which would prove it," an official said on condition of anonymity.

As per the officials, there are three types of colleges under the Delhi University — colleges maintained by trusts; those maintained by the university; and the colleges fully or partially funded by the Delhi government. The Delhi government fully or partially funds 28 colleges, including 12 that are fully funded by the city administration.

The principal of one of the colleges funded by the Delhi government stated, “We welcome the initiative. Once the decision is finalised by the varsity, we will put it forth our governing body and get it approved. Since ours is a college funded by the Delhi government and it is a financial matter, we will need to get it approved by the governing body."

Some colleges at their level have already begun the process. Rajesh Giri, the principal of Rajdhani College, stated that 30 students lost one or both of their parents during the second wave, whereas no such tragedy occurred during the first wave.

He said “Our students have also created a Google form for students and the fee waiver will also be applicable for those who will seek admission in the new academic session. They will have to furnish the death certificate of their parents. The college had given a fee concession of Rs 2,010 to all its students during the first wave”.

The principal of Aryabhaytta College, Manoj Sinha, stated that they will follow the varsity's decision.

“We will play our part in it and this will be our social contribution. We have formed a Students Fee Concession and Scholarship Committee that will identify the students. We are trying to help the students. We reached out to some of the NGOs who supported the students during the first wave," he said.

Following a screening, an NGO in Mumbai decided to fully fund the education of five women students of the college, he further added.  

Ramjas College principal Manoj Khanna expressed his gratitude for the decision. He said, “we will wait for the official notification and as and when it comes, we will decide accordingly.”