The Ministry of Education in India has recently introduced the “Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Center 2024” to address the concerns surrounding unregulated private coaching centers that offer preparatory courses for various study programmes and competitive examinations. The guidelines aim to establish a framework for registration, set minimum standards, and prioritize student well-being. However, some of the provisions have raised questions and debates among parents, students, and coaching center owners. Here are some of the key aspects of the new norms and their implications.
Registration Process
According to the guidelines, all coaching centers are required to submit applications for registration to the competent authority within their local jurisdiction, complying with specified forms, fees, and document requirements outlined by the appropriate government. Notably, if a coaching center has multiple branches, each branch is considered a separate entity, necessitating individual registration applications.
The registration process is intended to ensure that the coaching centers meet the minimum standards of infrastructure, facilities, safety, quality, and transparency. The registered coaching centers will also have to display their registration certificate, fee structure, refund policy, faculty details, course curriculum, and student feedback mechanism prominently at their premises and on their websites.
Age Restriction
One of the most controversial provisions of the guidelines is the age restriction for student enrollment. The guidelines state that no coaching center shall enroll students below 16 years of age; student enrollment should only occur after the secondary school examination. This means that students who are in classes 9th or 10th and wish to prepare for entrance exams such as JEE or NEET will not be able to join any coaching center.
The rationale behind this provision is to discourage the coaching culture that puts undue pressure and stress on young students and affects their holistic development. The guidelines also suggest that schools should provide adequate guidance and counseling to students to help them choose their career paths and prepare for higher education.
However, some parents and students have expressed their dissatisfaction with this rule, arguing that it will limit their options and opportunities to compete in the highly competitive exams. They also point out that many students from rural areas or underprivileged backgrounds rely on coaching centers to supplement their school education and bridge the gap in quality and access.
Fee Structure
Another provision that has drawn attention is the fee structure regulation. The guidelines state that no coaching center shall charge exorbitant fees from students or parents or demand advance payment of more than one month’s fee at a time. The fee charged by the coaching center shall be commensurate with the facilities provided and the duration and quality of the course offered. The guidelines also mandate that every coaching center shall have a clear and transparent refund policy in case of mid-course withdrawal by a student or closure of the center due to any reason.
The fee structure regulation is aimed at protecting the interests of students and parents from exploitation by unscrupulous coaching centers that charge hefty amounts without delivering on their promises or guarantees. The guidelines also encourage students and parents to compare different coaching centers based on their fee structure, facilities, faculty, curriculum, and outcomes before enrolling in any one of them.
However, some coaching center owners have raised concerns over this provision, claiming that it will affect their viability and sustainability in the long run. They argue that they have to incur high costs for renting premises, hiring qualified tutors, providing study materials, conducting tests, and maintaining infrastructure. They also contend that they have to compete with online platforms that offer low-cost or free courses without any regulation or accountability.
Conclusion
The new guidelines for coaching centers are a welcome step towards regulating a sector that has been largely unregulated and unaccountable for a long time. The guidelines seek to ensure that coaching centers provide quality education and support to students without compromising on their safety, well-being, and interests. However, the implementation of these guidelines will require close coordination and cooperation among various stakeholders, including central and state governments, local authorities, coaching center owners, parents, students, and civil society organizations. Moreover, the guidelines will need to be reviewed and revised periodically to address any emerging issues or challenges in this dynamic and evolving sector.