Coaching centres cannot enrol students below 16 years of age

• The Ministry of Education has recently introduced comprehensive guidelines to regulate coaching centres.
• Objective: To establish a legal framework and manage the uncontrolled growth of private coaching centres.
• These guidelines are introduced in response to complaints regarding student suicides, fire incidents, and deficiencies in coaching facilities.

Key Guidelines

• Age Restrictions and Academic Qualifications
  • Coaching centres cannot enrol students below 16 years of age.
  • Student enrolment should be only after secondary school examination
  • Tutors must have qualifications of at least graduation.
  • The coaching centres cannot hire the services of any tutor or person who has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude.
• Misleading Promises
  • Coaching institutes are prohibited from making misleading promises, guaranteeing ranks, or ensuring good marks to parents.
  • Publication of misleading advertisements about coaching quality or results is strictly forbidden.
• Mental Well-being
  • Coaching centres should take steps for the mental well-being of students.
  • Immediate intervention mechanisms for students in distress should be established.
  • Tutors may undergo training in mental health issues to effectively communicate improvement areas to students.
• Counselling System
  • Coaching centres must have a counselling system, and the institute will not be registered without it.
  • Trained counsellors should be appointed, and information about their availability must be provided to students and parents.
• Fair and Reasonable Fees
  • Tuition fees must be fair and reasonable and receipts for the fee charged must be made available.
  • Refund policies are specified, ensuring pro-rata refunds for students leaving courses mid-way.
  • Penalties, including fines up to ₹1 lakh or registration cancellation, for charging exorbitant fees causing stress leading to student suicides or engaging in malpractices.
• Monitoring and Registration
  • Registration of new and existing coaching centres within three months of guideline implementation.
  • State governments will monitor coaching centre activities and ensure compliance with eligibility criteria.
• Coaching centres shall have a website with updated details of the qualification of tutors, courses/curriculum, duration of completion, hostel facilities, and the fees being charged.

Prelims Takeaway

• Ministry of Education Guidelines to regulate Coaching Centres
• Mental Health