Experts & parents urge State Govt to make guidelines for coaching institutes

MANSI BHAMBRI | Dehradun

Experts, along with parents, have opined that the State government should establish guidelines for coaching institutes and ensure their implementation to protect students and parents from exploitation. This call for action follows a recent incident in Dehradun, where a student’s ligaments were reportedly injured after being allegedly made to do 400 sit-ups by a teacher at Centurion Academy.

Former additional director of the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Dehradun, Pradeep Rawat expressed concern regarding the said incident. He said that he has observed numerous ways in which coaching institutes exploit both parents and students. Some coaching institutes aim to attract students by misleading them and their parents with false promises, such as assurances of passing competitive exams. Further, it was noted that government schools follow a formal process for teacher recruitment that considers qualifications and eligibility, whereas coaching institutes tend to hire teachers haphazardly, negatively impacting students’ learning experiences.

In light of these exploitative practices by coaching institutes and the incident in question, it is suggested that the State government should establish guidelines for these institutions. These guidelines should address aspects like fee structures and teacher hiring processes. Additionally, it would be beneficial to create a regulatory body for coaching institutes. Additionally, empower the Education department to monitor and evaluate these institutions, helping to protect students from the exploitation often perpetrated by coaching institutes, he added.

“I have also observed how coaching institutes exploit parents and students, especially in terms of high fees. They are able to do this because there is no regulatory body overseeing coaching institutes. For example, schools are monitored by the education department, but coaching institutes are not. Given the exploitation by coaching institutes that has developed over time, the State government should establish proper guidelines for these institutes and ensure their implementation,” said president of the National Association for Parents’ and Students’ Rights (NAPSR), Arif Khan.

He further emphasised that, in light of the recent incident where a student’s ligaments were allegedly damaged after a teacher at Centurion Academy made him perform 400 sit-ups, it is also the responsibility of parents to consider which institution they are sending their children to. He advised parents to conduct personal research about specific coaching institutes rather than relying solely on social media or other external influences before enrolling their children.

Additionally, many parents have expressed concerns over the increasing exploitation by coaching institutes. A parent, Malika Yadav said that she has observed how coaching institutes take advantage of students in the name of education by charging exorbitant fees. She urged the authorities to create guidelines for coaching institutes as well, to protect parents and students from this exploitation.