Jaipur:

Rajasthan coaching centres: The Rajasthan government introduced in the state Assembly the Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Bill on Wednesday (March 19) having provisions like mandatory registration of all coaching centres, setting up of an authority to regulate coaching centres and a penalty from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for the violation of registration rules.

The bill, introduced by Higher Education Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, assumes significance because of suicide cases that have happened mostly in Kota, a hub of coaching centres offering courses for entrance in prestigious medical and engineering colleges across the country. After enactment, no coaching centre in the state will be allowed to establish or run without obtaining a valid registration certificate.

“This bill is a decisive step to curb the commercialisation of coaching institutes and ensure that they operate within a framework prioritising the well-being and success of students. By regulating these centres, the state aims to create a healthier and more supportive environment for aspirants pursuing their academic and professional goals,” the statement of objectives and reasons of the bill stated.

Rajasthan witnessed unchecked proliferation of ‘coaching centres’

The government said in the bill that over the past two decades, the state has witnessed an unchecked proliferation of coaching centres.

“These centres often operate in a largely unregulated environment, luring lakhs of students every year with promises of guaranteed success in competitive examinations such as NEET, IIT-JEE, IIM entrance tests and CLAT.

“The false claims and high-pressure environment fostered by many of these institutes result in widespread disillusionment and despair among students when outcomes do not match expectations. Tragically, this often leads to heightened stress levels and, in several instances, even suicides,” the statement of the bill said.

The bill envisages the establishment of the Rajasthan Coaching Centres Control and Regulation Authority, which will oversee the implementation and monitoring of this legislation across the state.

What are the criteria for coaching institutes to register? 

The proposed bill provides for coaching centres of the state to get registered and also provides for control, regulation and determining minimum standards and requirements for the registration of coaching centres.

The authority will ensure the registration of coaching centres and implementation of policies and provisions for the protection of students, will take steps to rein in the malpractices of bogus advertisement, false claims, lucrative offers and the likes by the coaching centres.