Nithyakalyani Narayanan. V
A fair and reasonable fee, a proper grievance redressal system, infrastructure requirements, and no student under the age of 16 or who has not completed their secondary education are just a few of the regulations that coaching centres must abide by, according to a set of guidelines released by Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, on January 18th, 2024. Additionally, the Ministry has directed these institutions not to run deceptive ads or guarantee parents and students high grades or rankings prior to enrollment.
This action is being taken in response to an alarming increase in student suicides around the nation, particularly in Kota, Rajasthan, which is referred to as India’s coaching capital. “The number of unregulated private coaching centers in the country continues to grow in the absence of any laid down policy or regulation. Instances of such centers charging exorbitant fees from students, undue stress on students resulting in students committing suicides, loss of precious lives due to fire and other accidents, and many other malpractices being adopted by these centres are widely reported in the media,” the Education Ministry said.
A coaching centre must have previous approval from a competent body in order to open, operate, or maintain one. According to the ministry, those who are currently operating without permission must apply for registration within the next three months. Coaching centres are prohibited from hiring tutors with less education than a bachelor’s degree or from using instructors who have been found guilty of “any offence involving moral turpitude.”
The coaching centres may implement special measures to promote increased participation from students from marginalised groups, female students, and students with disabilities, among other vulnerable communities.
Fee and facilities
According to the new guidelines, coaching centres are allowed to charge fair and reasonable rates. They also have to give receipts, a prospectus detailing the courses they offer, how long they last, how many classes, lectures, tutorials, etc., and so on. If a student leaves a course after paying for it in full, the cost of the remaining time must be reimbursed within ten days. It stated that mess and hostel fees are also covered by this. The guidelines detailed that the coaching centre buildings must comply with fire safety laws, building safety codes, and other standards. Additionally, each student must have a minimum of one square metre of space during class.
Counselling
The guidelines instruct that the coaching centre may have a complaint box or register where pupils can file complaints. The centres will have a committee to handle student problems and complaints. Separate restrooms for men and women be provided within the coaching centre building premises. The centre has demanded that coaching facilities protect students’ mental health by not placing undue pressure on them and by setting up a system for giving students in distress or stressful situations focused, long-term support.
The responsible authority may take action to guarantee that the coaching centre develops a counselling system and that parents and children may easily use it. All parents and students may receive information on the nine names of psychologists and counsellors as well as the hours that they are available to provide services. In order to provide parents and children with effective guidance and counselling, licenced counsellors could be assigned to the coaching centre. Discrimination should not be practised on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or descent.