Private coaching centres: MoE’s note gets mixed response

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: The Ministry of Education (MoE) in India has recently implemented a set of comprehensive guidelines aimed at regulating and managing the unbridled growth of private coaching centres.

These guidelines, while receiving support from some quarters, have also sparked criticism and concern among various stakeholders.

One key aspect of the new regulations is the prohibition of enrolling students below the age of 16 in coaching centres.

The move is intended to address concerns related to student well-being, safety, and the overall quality of education.

Additionally, the guidelines seek to curb misleading promises or guarantees of ranks and good marks, with a focus on ensuring transparency in advertising by coaching centres.

Pradeep Rawat, the founder of the All India Parents & Students Association and a student advisor, expressed support for certain aspects of the guidelines, such as free control, fee refunds, not having more than 50 students per class, and safety measures for students' mental well-being.

However, he raised concerns about the complete ban on coaching for students below the age of 16, arguing that it could lead to more expensive private tuition options.

Rawat also suggested that the government should consider lowering fees in private colleges to alleviate the intense competition for prestigious institutions like IITs and IIMs.

Students, on the other hand, are divided in their opinions. While some argue that the ban on coaching for those below 16 might be too restrictive, others believe that the focus should be on improving the overall quality of education in schools, rendering coaching centres less necessary.

A class 9 student emphasised the competitiveness of entrance exams and suggested that effective price control and the elimination of false promises would be sufficient regulation.

He emphasised, "Students now find it nearly impossible to sit for competitive exams without the assistance of coaching centres, as these centres have transformed from being optional choices to indispensable necessities in the present educational landscape."

However, concer ns have been raised by coaching centres in Bengaluru, where some expressed dissatisfaction with the new guidelines.

When News Trail tried to reach out to some institutes in the city they declined to comment on the issue, while others suggested that the government should first focus on enhancing the education system in schools before implementing such drastic changes.

The introduction of new guidelines by the Ministry of Education reflects a concerted effort to address pressing issues associated with the unregulated growth of private coaching centres.

While there is support for certain measures, concerns have been raised about the potential unintended consequences, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and refinement of the regulatory framework to strike the right balance between oversight and the autonomy of oaching centres.