THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government has decided to go for steep a hike in the fee structure of professional courses. The government order effecting hike in fees charged for professional courses in government/aided/government-affiliated self-financing colleges has been issued.

The order came out on September 6.

There will be an increase in tuition fee, exam fee, hostel fee and university fees. The hike will be implemented from this academic year. There will be an increase of five percent in fees and this will be repeated every academic year.

However, this will be big blow for students. In the order it is also said that all university directors and registrars under the Technical Education department should take steps in this regard very soon.

The order has been issued by Additional Secretary N Jaysuklal. The government has made the move to hike fees clandestinely, fearing student protests.

The fee hike will also come into effect in IHRD, LS and Polytechnic institutions. Technical Education director Indira Devi told Kerala Kaumudi that the order would be implemented this academic year. “The hike is long overdue. Though attempts were made to hike fee last year, the decision was dropped later,” she said.