A college in the Western suburbs hiked its fees recently. The hike, which some students said is substantial in a report in this paper yesterday, has come as a shock to students and their parents, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The institution has given students some leeway of paying in instalments, and a deferred deadline. Yet, many say that they will find it difficult to pay in these times, and the small window like paying in parts or with a relaxed time frame, is not going to make a difference as they still need to pay.