The Ministry of Education of the central government has issued new guidelines for coaching institutes across the country, which include several orders that could work as a significant relief for students. According to the guidelines released under the New Education Policy 2000, coaching centres will not be allowed to admit students under the age of 16 and students can enrol in coaching only after completing the 10th grade.
After the introduction of these guidelines for coaching institutes, the most discussed impact is on Rajasthan, particularly the coaching hub of Kota, where it is believed that these guidelines could deliver a significant blow to the coaching industry.
The mention of Kota is noteworthy because students come here to study from all over the country, but the number of students committing suicide is also alarming. Given the increasing number of cases of suicide, these restrictions have been imposed on coaching institutes.
It is known that Kota is a coaching hub where children from across the country come to study in large numbers, and now, under the new guidelines, coaching centres in Kota will also come under regulation. Although most of the points in the central government’s guidelines are already applicable under the state’s guidelines, the point of not allowing registration for coaching for students under 16 is considered crucial.
It should be noted that currently in Kota, around 1.5 million children are studying, and there are approximately 20 to 25 thousand students whose age is less than 16. While children come to Kota for coaching after 11th and 12th grade, some parents who aspire for their children to become engineers and doctors are enrolling them in coaching as early as the 6th grade.
It should be noted that in Kota, students from Classes 6 to 10 come to study, where many students, as young as 16 years old, prepare for medical and engineering entrance exams. Around 30% of such children are present here. These children get admission to schools here, and their entire education is provided through coaching.
Meanwhile, similar to the guidelines issued by the central government, the state government had already issued guidelines in September last year, which include provisions such as 5 days of study leave, holidays on festivals, no admission for underage children, restriction on claims of selection, parent-teacher meetings every 3 months, CCTV surveillance, close monitoring of student attendance, and fee refunds.
