The new guidelines released by the Ministry of Education provided outline comprehensive framework that seem to be aiming at regulating coaching centres to maintain a standard of education, safety, and mental well-being for students. This would further support the ongoing challenges faced by both students and their parents in controlling the menace and ever increasing pressure to join such institutes promising their dreams. These steps are inline to the New Education Policy 2020 vision by looking at student wellbeing and opening new avenues in skill development and non conventional avenues. The detailed official notice can be accessed here at the Ministry of Education site https://www.education.gov.in/. By enforcing these guidelines, the Ministry appears to be addressing several crucial aspects:
- Protection of students: By ensuring that only qualified tutors are engaged and prohibiting deceptive advertising and guarantees, the Ministry aims to create a more honest and effective educational environment.
- Mental Well-being: The emphasis on psychological counseling and career guidance is a response to the concerning issues, like stress and student suicides, potentially associated with the pressure-cooker atmosphere of many coaching centres.
- Regulation of the sector: Setting out infrastructure and operational requirements for coaching institutes aims to standardize the sector, which may have previously seen a mix of highly varied practices.
- Fair financial practices: Detailed fee-related guidelines ensure that coaching centres maintain transparency around their charges and offer fair refund policies, helping to protect parents and guardians from potential exploitation.
- Age and educational stage restrictions: By stipulating that students must be above 16 and have completed secondary school examinations before enrolling, the Ministry seeks to ensure that early education remains centered around traditional schools and that youth are not