Coaching Centre Mafia: Centre’s Response to Possible Action

New Delhi:

Guidelines for the supervision of coaching centers were issued by the government in January of this year, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed Lok Sabha on Monday, while avoiding a direct response to a query regarding the demise of three IAS hopefuls in Delhi due to flooding.  

During the Question Hour, Congress MP KC Venugopal brought up the passing of the three scholars and noted that the center did not have an authorized structure.  

“In the absence of an authorized structure, lacking any amenities, some of the coaching centers transform into a mafia… is the government planning to take any measures?” he inquired.  Mr Venugopal also expressed concerns about student suicides.

Citing data supplied by the ministry in a previous written response, he mentioned that between 2018-2022, approximately 80 students took their own lives in prominent institutions such as IITs and IIMs, indicating that caste discrimination plays a significant role.  In his reply, Mr Pradhan stated, “The member has raised an issue that is not pertinent to the question posed today.”

“However, I wish to assure the House through you, this administration is dedicated to the overall socio-psychological and mental well-being of all students, whether they are enrolled in a coaching center, in an establishment, school education or higher education,” he articulated.  

He mentioned that comprehensive and detailed regulations on coaching centers were disseminated to all states in January, 2024.

“Some states also have directives, like Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa. They have their own rules to investigate the matter,” he mentioned.  

“Regarding the safeguarding, this is a socio-psychological matter. We must all be vigilant. This is not a matter to be handled solely through accusations and responses,” he remarked.

Three civil services hopefuls perished on Saturday after the lower level of a structure accommodating a coaching center in central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar area was inundated following heavy rainfall.

In his response to another query, Mr Pradhan refuted the notion that India was experiencing “brain-drain” with students pursuing higher education overseas. The individuals who venture abroad have brought honor to the nation, he claimed.

TMC MP Saugata Roy inquired if the number of students heading abroad was on the rise. He stated that the absence of top-notch higher education in India was the cause of the “brain-drain”.  

The education minister emphasized that the intellect of Indian students should not be condemned for political reasons, and also remarked that there is no shortage of superior educational institutions in the nation.  

He highlighted individuals such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe Systems CEO Shantanu Narayen, and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna among those who emerged from the Indian educational system. India takes pride in them, he declared.

“Visit any economic hub, Indians are flourishing there… We progress due to this interconnectedness. The world is becoming a smaller place. Depriving our future generations of global standards is unjust,” he expressed.  Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, however, contended that the esteemed institutions mentioned by the minister are merely a “few oases of distinction in a vast sea of mediocrity”, and enhancement is indispensable.  

Mr Pradhan responded by stating his openness to suggestions, and added that the government is emphasizing quality education, with assessment systems in place to evaluate it.