How Parents, Coaching Institutes And Educationists Reacted To MoE's New Guidelines On Coaching Centres

As per new guidelines, Coaching centres are prohibited from making misleading promises or guarantees regarding ranks or marks to attract parents and students.

New guidelines mandate that tuition fees for various courses must be fair and reasonable.

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The Ministry of Education on Thursday released a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at regulating coaching centres nationwide through a proper legal framework. 'Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centres 2024' is designed to improve student oversight and provide assistance for study programs, competitive exams and academic pursuits. Under these regulations, coaching centres are explicitly barred from making deceptive promises or assurances of ranks or high marks to parents or students during the enrollment process. The guidelines further specify that the enrollment of students below the age of 16 is prohibited and admissions should only take place after the completion of the secondary school examination. Moreover, coaching centres must establish a counseling system in alignment with the provided guidelines to qualify for registration.

Netizens on social media welcomed the guidelines by the Education Ministry on regulating coaching centres. Here are some reactions:

Government's decision to ban coaching classes for students below 16 is a positive move towards prioritizing holistic learning in early education.
Encouraging schools to provide a well-rounded education is crucial for a child's development. #CoachingCentre

— Japanese Talent 🍁 (@Ae_dil_786) January 18, 2024

Thank you very much @EduMinOfIndia 🙏 for completely stopping the coaching of children from class 1 to 10 , teachers had made education a business, will not teach in schools but will work in coaching.#Coachingcentre pic.twitter.com/kPjmiixHL9

— दिव्यांग धनेश्वर ♿ (@dhaneswardreams) January 19, 2024

'Age Limit May Not Be A Prudent Move'

Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, President of the India-Wide Parents' Association, welcomed the decision but also raised some questions. Talking to ABP Live, Anubha Shrivastava Sahai said, "Undoubtedly, it's a welcome move, but the age limit criteria may not be a prudent decision as many students commence preparation for competitive exams like NEET and JEE from the age of 15. For exams such as NEET and JEE, students often initiate preparation after the 10th class and as schools lack provisions for these exam preparations, coaching becomes the sole viable option."

She added: "Government should enhance the quality of education in schools to eliminate the necessity for coaching. With the introduction of the CUET exam, several coaching institutes have emerged to prepare students for this entrance exam. Such practices should be curtailed and the government should take the responsibility of providing coaching for these exams."

'Positive Step...Reassuring'

Speaking to ABP Live, Neha Gupta, a parent said, "As a parent, I find the newly issued guidelines for coaching centres to be a positive step towards ensuring a safer and more transparent learning environment. These measures not only protect the financial interests of parents but also prioritise the well-being and age-appropriate education of our children. It's reassuring to see educational authorities taking concrete steps to regulate coaching centres and address concerns that directly impact the educational journey of our youngsters." 

Gaurav Goel, Co-founder and CEO of Toprankers (a coaching institute), said, "We welcome the Ministry of Education's initiative to regulate coaching institutes, as it is a significant step towards ensuring ethical practices in the education sector. While we appreciate the guidelines, we also recognise the potential challenges, such as age restrictions impacting access for younger students and financial penalties posing difficulties for smaller coaching centres.''

"To strike a balance, it is crucial to consider alternative career options and provide comprehensive information to students. At Toprankers, we remain committed to adapting to these changes, fostering a positive learning environment, and supporting students in their educational journey."

Applauding the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Neeraj Kumar, Co-Founder & CEO of PeakMind, said, "With a regulatory framework in place, these guidelines will set a benchmark for quality education with a commitment to safeguarding students' interests and mental health. The emphasis on integrated well-being covering the entire institutional community, career guidance and psychological counseling demonstrates a shift toward nurturing mental well-being over mere academic success. This move acknowledges the problems that students face like academic stress, aiming to reduce the pressures that often lead young minds to drastic measures."

He added: "To strike a balance, it is crucial to consider alternative career options and provide comprehensive information to students. At Toprankers, we remain committed to adapting to these changes, fostering a positive learning environment, and supporting students in their educational journey."