JAIPUR: The state government has hinted at implementing the
guidelines
issued for
coaching institutes
by the Union ministry of education, restricting the entry of students aged below
16 years
or after completing secondary examinations.
The guidelines issued recently will reduce the enrolment of students in coaching institutes by an estimated 20%. Of the total 2 lakh students
enrolled
with coaching institutes in Kota, around 40,000 aged below 16 are likely to discontinue coaching. The rule will impact the
revenue
of coaching institutes in Sikar and Jaipur too. "Our support for the government is unconditional. But we feel that if the students cannot be enrolled in any coaching institute below 16 or, let's say, below Class X, then how will you justify competitive examinations like the NTSE and Olympiads held, mostly for students below 16 years of age?" said a director of a coaching major in Kota.
Recalling his interaction with a Union education secretary seven to eight years ago, he said, "I told him that if you fix the school education system to a level that students don't need to refer to any books other than school books, our coaching institutes will die their natural deaths. The reality is that our institutes fill the vacuum created by the education system, and it is a win-win situation."
The guidelines are being discussed and debated among students, teachers, coaching owners, hostellers, real estate businesses, transporters, caterers, and stationers in coaching hubs like Kota. Some worry that if it is implemented, the return of young students will incur financial losses.
Even students at the tender age of 14 are enrolled in coaching institutes in Kota, Sikar, and Jaipur. In Kota, they come from across the country, not only for JEE or medical but also to appear in competitive exams like Olympiads, KVPY, and NTSE.
"It seems that these guidelines are misunderstood as impacting coaching institutes with 5,000 students and above. It is applicable for coaching centres running in narrow lanes. They will be hit more by this unjust and uncalled provision of 16 years of age," said another director of a coaching institute in Kota, while interpreting the silence of small coaching institutes on the guidelines.
Sikar, which is a rising coaching hub with over 1.5 lakh students coming from North India for JEE, NEET, and defence exams, follows an integrated model with students admitted to schools, which in turn provides an integrated model of education, including the coaching of the chosen exam.
The state hasn't officially spoken yet on the guidelines, but has hinted that directives from the Centre are sacrosanct.
A senior BJP leader told TOI, "It is the principle of our government to introduce and implement PM Modi's government schemes, policies, or guidelines like the one released for coaching institutes, in their complete spirit. The Union government is serious about the unabated suicide cases in Kota. They have taken a measurable step, which the state shall soon accept as its policy."
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