To look for ways and means to reduce the growing burden of competitive studies, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Friday inspected several popular private coaching institutes in Chandigarh.
The Commission, in association with Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh Commissions for Protection of Child Rights, inspected some famous coaching institutes in the city. It apparently took the data of students, studying in these institutes and looked into the atmosphere and facilities being provided to the students.
The inspection was conducted to understand the process of enrollment, class strength, counselling support being provided to the students and how the students were managing with the stress of preparing for the competitive examinations.
The team interacted with students to get their viewpoint and also visited the Paying Guest Accommodations in and around the institutions.
A member present during the inspection said that the purpose of the inspection is to understand the factors that are forcing students to take lessons in coaching institutes, paying extra while missing their classes in schools. He said that the commission is also looking into the causes of growing stress among students to clear competitive exams. He said that the government has taken a serious note of 40 suicides by students in Kota, Rajasthan in recent times.
The inspection was followed by a meeting which included Members of Child Welfare Committee, Chandigarh, District Child Protection Unit, Police and Education Department. Instructions and suggestions were given to all stakeholders to ensure the safety of the children.
The team consisted of Priyank Kanoondoo, Member, NCPCR, Shaista Shah, Geetanjali and Rajnikant. Prof Devi Sirohi, Chairperson, CCPCR, Prof. Nishtha Jaswal and Pramod Sharma, Member, CCPCR along with Paramjit Singh Badola from Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and Dr Khanna from Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights also participated in the inspection.