Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has introduced a bill to regulate coaching centres in the state, prompted by the rising number of student suicides in Kota — India’s coaching hub. Eight students have died by suicide in Kota this year, while the figure stood at 26 last year.
The bill proposes the establishment of a 12-member authority to oversee coaching institutes and monitor their functioning. Additionally, district-level committees will be formed to provide student counselling, reduce stress, and organize remedial classes and recreational activities.
To ease pressure on students, assessments will not be conducted on the first day of the week, exam results will be kept confidential, and class durations will be limited to a maximum of five hours. The bill also simplifies the process for fee refunds if a student drops out mid-course.
However, the bill has faced criticism for omitting two key provisions. Mental health experts had recommended setting a minimum age of 16 for students enrolling in coaching centres, as many children as young as 14 are pushed into these rigorous programs. The bill also does not mandate aptitude tests to assess students’ suitability for medical and engineering entrance coaching.
Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully criticized the government, alleging it had bowed to pressure from the powerful coaching industry. “In the draft bill, there was a proposal to set 16 as the minimum age for admission. Now, it’s missing. This government seems to be protecting the interests of the coaching industry,” Jully remarked.
In response, Prem Chand Bairwa, Minister for Technical Education, defended the bill, stating, “This is a step towards regulating coaching centres. We are open to incorporating suggestions in the future.” On the matter of aptitude tests, he said the decision would be left to parents.
Raghuveer Singh Dagur, president of the Rajasthan Coaching Institute Association, expressed disappointment, stating, “This bill has a good aim but offers a bad solution. It’s a setback for the Rajasthan coaching industry.”
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