1. Ministry of Education issues guidelines for coaching centers to establish a legal framework and control unregulated growth.
2. Guidelines emphasize strict restrictions on coaching centers to prioritize student well-being and prevent misleading practices.
3. Focus on transparency in operations is a key element of the newly introduced guidelines.
New Delhi, Jan 19: The Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive guidelines to regulate coaching centres, aiming to address the lack of a legal framework and curb the unregulated growth of private coaching institutions.
The guidelines impose strict restrictions on coaching centres, focusing on the well-being of students, prevention of misleading practices, and ensuring transparency in operations.
Key Guidelines:
- Age Restriction: Coaching centres are prohibited from enrolling students below 16 years of age. The guidelines emphasize that student enrollment should occur only after the completion of the secondary school examination.
- Qualification of Tutors: No coaching centre is allowed to engage tutors with qualifications less than graduation.
- Misleading Promises: Coaching institutes cannot make misleading promises or guarantee ranks or good marks to parents for enrolling students.
- Advertisement Standards: Stringent standards are set for advertising. Coaching centres are barred from publishing or participating in the publication of misleading advertisements regarding the quality of coaching, facilities, or results.
- Counselling System: Institutes must have a counselling system as per the guidelines. Trained counsellors should be appointed to provide effective guidance and counselling for students and parents.
- Mental Well-being: In light of academic pressure and competition, coaching centres are directed to take steps for the mental well-being of students. A mechanism for immediate intervention to assist students in distress should be established.
- Fair Tuition Fees: The guidelines emphasize that tuition fees for various courses must be fair and reasonable. Refunds should be provided if a student leaves a course prematurely, and no fee increases are allowed during the course.
- Penalties for Malpractices: Coaching centres charging exorbitant fees causing undue stress leading to student suicide or engaging in other malpractices may face penalties up to ₹1 lakh or have their registration canceled.
- Registration and Monitoring: Coaching centres, both new and existing, must be registered within three months of the guidelines taking effect. State governments will monitor their activities and ensure compliance with eligibility criteria and satisfactory operations.
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Mental Well-being Framework:
The guidelines include a framework to address mental well-being issues among students. This involves establishing a counselling system, providing information about psychologists and counsellors, and training tutors in mental health issues.
These guidelines, with a focus on transparency, fair practices, and student well-being, mark a significant step towards creating a regulated and accountable environment for coaching centres. The emphasis on mental health is particularly crucial in addressing the growing concerns related to academic pressure and student suicides.
