Coaching centres are prohibited from admitting students under the age of 16 years besides making deceptive assurances of guaranteed ranks or high marks, according to the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education. These regulations aim to establish a legal framework and oversee the unchecked expansion of private coaching centres. The decision was prompted by government concerns over increasing reports of student suicides, fire incidents, insufficient facilities and questionable teaching methodologies in coaching centres. “Students frequently experience intense academic pressure and these centres assert that they provide the additional advantage necessary for achieving top grades and a promising future. Nevertheless, these institutions impose an excessive load of study materials on students, depriving them of valuable time for extracurricular activities, hobbies and social interactions,” Maithili Tambe, CEO, The Academy School (TAS), told FE Education.
Furthermore, it is imperative for all the coaching centres to establish a proactive mechanism for offering targeted and sustained assistance to students experiencing stressful situations. The centres are instructed to appoint trained counsellors to provide effective guidance and counselling for both students and parents, according to the new guidelines. “This new approach represents that now instead of just caring about grades, it is more essential to know and understand the feelings of students. Acknowledging difficulties students face, particularly the stress associated with academics, it seeks to mitigate the pressures that might lead young individuals to extreme measures,” Neeraj Kumar, founder and CEO, PeakMind, said.
As per the new guideline, coaching centres are instructed to set fair and reasonable fee structures, providing clear receipts for all transactions. Additionally, they must furnish a prospectus that outlines courses they offer, including details such as course duration, the number of classes, lectures, tutorials and other relevant information. “Our fee structure is fair and transparent. We ensure that parents and students are fully informed about every aspect of the fees at the time of admission, leaving no room for hidden charges or additional fees,” Srinivas Konduti, director, Sanjay Ghodawat IIT and Medical Academy (SGIMA), said.
To address the concerns and challenges students face, tuition centres claim to have a team of counsellors who are well-trained and experienced. They are adept at handling student queries and problems, providing valuable advice to help students navigate challenges effectively. “Our primary focus is on the mental well-being of students because we believe that mentally motivated students benefit more from our coaching,” Konduti added.