No student below 16 years of age or those who are yet to complete their secondary education, fair and reasonable fee, a proper grievance redressal system and infrastructure requirements are some of the rules coaching centres must follow, the Ministry of Education said in a set of guidelines issued on Thursday. 

The ministry has also instructed such institutes not to publish misleading advertisements and not to promise good marks or ranks to parents and students before admission.

This move comes amid an alarming rise in student suicides in the country, especially in Rajasthan’s Kota, which is often called India’s coaching capital.

“The number of unregulated private coaching centers in the country continues to grow in the absence of any laid down policy or regulation. Instances of such centers charging exorbitant fees from students, undue stress on students resulting in students committing suicides, loss of precious lives due to fire and other accidents, and many other malpractices being adopted by these centres are widely reported in the media,” the Education Ministry said.

• Engage tutors with qualifications lower than graduation.

•Make misleading promises or guarantees of ranks or good marks to parents/students for enrolling them in the coaching centre.

• Enroll students below 16 years of age; student enrollment should only occur after the secondary school examination.

• Publish or be involved in the publication of any misleading advertisement related to claims, directly or indirectly, regarding the quality of coaching, facilities offered, or the results obtained by the coaching centre or its students.

• Be registered if it has less than the minimum space requirement per student.

• Establishing a framework for the registration and regulation of coaching centres.

• Defining minimum standard requirements for the operation of coaching centres.

• Safeguarding the interests of students enrolled in coaching centres.

• Encouraging coaching centres to prioritise co-curricular activities for comprehensive student development.

• Providing career guidance and psychological counseling to ensure the mental well-being of students.

The registration process for coaching centres involves submitting applications, undergoing renewal procedures, and complying with specified conditions. Registration conditions include hiring qualified tutors, avoiding deceptive promises, admitting students above the age of 16, and implementing a counseling system.

The guidelines also address fee-related matters, emphasising fair and reasonable charges, transparent fee receipts, and detailed prospectuses. Refund policies are outlined, and fee adjustments are specified for students leaving a course prematurely.

Infrastructure requirements mandate a minimum space allocation per student, adherence to safety codes, provision of first aid and medical facilities, electrification, ventilation, lighting, clean drinking water, and security measures.

Regarding class-related aspects, the guidelines stress timely completion of classes, avoiding conflicts with regular school hours, offering support classes, ensuring breaks to reduce pressure, weekly offs, and limiting daily coaching hours. Co-curricular activities are encouraged, and counseling sessions on life skills and various topics are recommended.

Overall, the guidelines aim to establish a regulatory framework that ensures the well-being and proper education of students attending coaching centres.

The certificate of registration granted to a coaching centre may be canceled at any time if the competent authority is satisfied that the centre has violated any of the guidelines' provisions or terms and conditions of registration. 

However, the competent authority must provide the certificate holder with a reasonable opportunity to present their case before making such a decision.

The government has initiated measures in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, addressing the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), conducting entrance examinations in 13 regional languages, expanding the number of seats in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and establishing high-quality Higher Education Institutions. 

To assist students in preparing for NEET (UG) and JEE (Main) entrance examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has launched the 'National Test Abhyas' Mobile App, providing candidates with access to high-quality mock tests online free of charge.