Nagpur: Education Minister Vinod Tawde on Monday said students enrolled in integrated coaching classes and who do not attend schools and colleges will not be allowed to write the examination.
“Integrated coaching is one of the worst forms of commercialisation of education. The classes take care of attendance in schools and colleges, and students use them only for the sake of appearing in the examination. We have started use of biometric attendance system where thumb impression is a must,” Mr. Tawde said while replying to a calling attention motion in the Assembly.
The minister said parents should refrain from sending their children to such classes.
“This practice reduces the importance of education institutions. Since schools and colleges are run on public money, strong action needs to be taken to control the coaching classes,” BJP MLA Parag Alvani said.
Mr. Tawde said the government is working on a bill to regulate private coaching classes. A government resolution to regulate these classes was issued in 2002, but it could not converted into an act.
“We had formed a committee under the education commissioner to form the draft. The bill covers coaching classes for medical, technical, and competitive examinations,” Mr. Tawde said.
Nationalist Congress Party MLA Jitendra Awhad raised concerns about small scale tutors who hold coaching classes at their houses. “There have been many individuals, mainly housewives, who use these coaching classes for their survival. They are scared as the new act may threaten their livelihood,” Mr. Awhad said.
The minister clarified that the bill is meant only for coaching classes with strength between 25 and 50. “This is for the integrated coaching classes and not for home tuitions.”
