You have made it a commercial activity, coaching institute ads more than political parties: Gehlot amid Kota suicides

Gehlot, who convened a review meeting of the state government and representatives of coaching institutes on Friday, said the committee would comprise all stakeholders such as coaching institutes, parents and doctors. It will be asked to submit a report within 15 days, including suggestions on how to prevent suicides.

Gehlot also criticised the practice of enrolling students in “dummy schools” in Kota, wherein they are not required to attend school, but go to coaching institutes instead.

“Students don’t even pass Class 9 and come for coaching classes. In this way, you are committing a crime… Students who are enrolled in dummy schools don’t go to schools…They have the double burden of clearing board examinations and preparing for entrance examinations,” he said.

“You have made it like a commercial activity. You give advertisements on the front pages of newspapers which is so costly. The advertisements of coaching centres are more than political parties. I want to say that you keep a tab on how much money is coming and regulate the fees after understanding that you have accountability,” Gehlot told representatives of coaching centres.

He also underlined the importance of physical activities and sports for the mental well-being of students.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the maximum number of suicides – 14 out of 21 – were from a particular institute.

Meanwhile, the Kota district administration has issued an order making it compulsory for hostels and paying guest (PG) facilities to install “spring devices” on ceiling fans to prevent student suicides.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official from the Kota district administration said the decision was taken after it was seen that in most of the 21 suicide cases that took place this year, students had died by hanging from a ceiling fan.

“It is being instructed to all hostel/ PG operators in Kota city that they ensure the installation of spring devices while hanging ceiling fans in each of their rooms. In the instance of finding irregularities in the compliance of the order, required action of seizing the concerned hostel/ PG shall be conducted,” says the order issued by Kota District Collector O P Bunkar on August 16.