MHRD Directs States to Set Regulations for Coaching Institutes to Prevent Student Suicides
Taking the recent suicide incidents into account, the HRD Ministry has asked the states to take action in this regard.
With constant performance pressure at high school level and stress for the preparation of entrance exams, many students give up hope in the academic system. This has been one of the major reasons behind the suicide cases registered in the country. Taking the recent suicide incidents into account, the HRD Ministry has asked the states to take action in this regard.
The issue was raised in the parliament, and the Ashok Misra committee was appointed in 2015 for this task. The committee has also made some suggestions to prevent suicides from occurring. The ministry has asked the state administration to regulate the regional private coaching institutes.
The HRD Ministry has also written a letter to the chief secretaries of states mentioning that these coaching institutes have not been recognised by any of the formal education regulators of India. It also stated that such institutes charge excessive fees putting a lot of stress on students.
The ministry has also asked the state governments to set regulations for such institutes and penalise those who do not comply. The letter stated that since these institutions are part of the secondary and higher secondary education level, they come under the governance of the States.
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In order to prevent student suicides, following measures have been suggested for coaching institutes:
- Mechanism to communicate with the student in case they are being exploited by the coaching institutes.
- Establishing counselling centres and appointing experienced counsellors to assist students.
- Implementation of a local guardian system for outstation students.
- Strengthening the administration and supervision of hostels at such institutes.
- Introducing induction programmes and setting up a grievance redressal committee.
According to a report filed by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) in 2014, 45 students committed suicide in Kota. As per the report, the reason behind these suicides was the fear of failing in exams.
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Pramod Maheshwari, Director of Career Point, said that the regulation is a welcome step if it is in the interest of students. He further added that such regulations must be drafted by consulting all the stakeholders including students as well as parents.