Following the agitation of students against private coaching institutes, the Govt of Bihar has drafted a bill to regulate the functioning of such institutes and check the mushrooming of sub-standard institutes so that the students do not stand cheated.
The proposed bill stipulates compulsory registration, the number of students in a coaching class, infrastructure and space needed per student etc. It also proposes to slap heavy fines for violations. A group of Govt officials headed by the District Magistrate will monitor the functioning of coaching institutes.
Recently, the members of Bihar Coaching Teachers’ Association have come out with a suggestion that the Govt should not rush through the bill without seeking thorough opinion of students, guardians, teachers, etc. They apprehend that the cost of providing unrealistic infrastructure coupled with likely extortion by the monitoring committee and/or anti-social elements may ultimately force the coaching institutes to charge exorbitant fees beyond the reach of poor students.
While the concerns of the Coaching Teachers’ Association are not misplaced, the Govt is duty bound to enact law to regulate the functioning of coaching institutes in the larger interest of the students and the society. As I had mentioned earlier, when there is a mad rush for the coaching institutes, it becomes very difficult to demarcate what is legal or illegal and what is ethical or unethical. Some form of exploitation and extortion cannot be ruled out. But at the same time the Govt has to put a check not only on the coaching institutes but also the monitoring agency and the anti-social elements.
The measures initiated by the Govt will be effective only if the intent is also reflected in its actions. If the Govt is really serious about the quality of education, its own colleges and institutions must also reflect it. Take for example the case of Bhagalpur College of Engineering. Why is that the students have to lock the college and demand for the appointment of regular teachers?
It will be a great achievement if the Govt seriously implements the AICTE norms in letter and spirit in its own colleges like BCE Bhagalpur and MIT Muzaffarpur and get the courses taught in these colleges accredited by National Board of Accredition as early as possibe.
Dr P R Prasad, Patna
Tags: AICTE norms, BCE Bhagalpur, Bihar, coaching institutes, education, govt, MIT Muzaffarpur, students