With allegations of student suicides and harassments by private coaching centers rising, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked the State Government to frame guidelines to regulate such institutions.
MHRD Additional Secretary R Subrahmanyam has written to the State Government in this regard.
He pointed out that most of the private coaching charge exorbitant fees under different heads, including extracurricular activities and, thus, place students under duress.
The MHRD has suggested to the State to execute recommendations of the Justice Roopanwal Commission of Enquiry to regulate these coaching centers and monitor their overall development in the better interests of the students.
The panel recommends that the State Government put in place a penalty system for deviation of guidelines. Till date, there is no mechanism for student to appeal against excesses committed by a university. Keeping this in view, universities are required to evolve a mechanism to look into excesses on students, points out the commission.
Secondly, it suggests that counseling centers must have professionally trained counselors to provide services to the students, research scholars, and faculty members, including nonteaching staffs. Monitoring committees are to be constituted to provide guidance on matters related to subjects studied by the students.
Besides, an Equal Opportunity Cell headed by Anti-Discrimination Officer and a Grievance Redressal Committee headed by an Ombudsman should work to curb students’ problems.
Establishment of a local Guardian System for outstation students is needed and grievances are to be discussed and dispensed with on a weekly basis. The Vice-Chancellor should hold meetings on a monthly basis. The university should select suitable student volunteers to act as mentors and help the freshers.
Remedial teaching for weak students should be regularly conducted and the Dean is required to closely monitor the problems and bring them to the notice of the Vice Chancellor immediately.
Now, after receiving the MHRD notice, both the School and Mass Education and the Higher Education Departments would frame guidelines to regulate the private coaching centers, said sources in Higher Education Department.