Crackdown on tuition classes

PUNE, January 16: Teachers conducting private tuition classes beware! The Deputy Director of Education's office, Pune, has turned on the hea...

PUNE, January 16: Teachers conducting private tuition classes beware! The Deputy Director of Education8217;s office, Pune, has turned on the heat and in the first of its kind of crackdown operation, on Thursday, caught 8220;red-handed8221; a Nowrosjee Wadia college teacher flouting the ban and illegally holding classes for students from Standards IX to XII.

Not only has the office slapped a show cause notice on Anil Mankikar, the junior college teacher but also the college management asking them to reply as to why they should not cancel his approval. Following a complaint, a seven-member team led by assistant director of Education S J Khateeb today caught the teacher unawares as they swooped upon the private tuition class of 39 students at 7.45 am at Giridarshan Society, Baner Road.

Three batches of 90 students from Standards IX to XII belonging to Modern High School, Ganeshkhind, Vidyapeeth high school, Vimlabai Garware school, Shivaji Vidyalaya, Aundh and Bharat English school were regularly held between 6.30 and9.30 pm. The students were charged an annual fee ranging from Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,300 for three subjects including science and mathematics, Khateeb told The Indian Express.

While Mankikar in a written statement submitted to the Deputy Director8217;s office claimed that his wife conducted the classes, students however told the team of education officials that it was the Wadia college teacher who taught them. The team assisted by Education officer, Secondary, ZP B P Mali, extension officers P B Borate and R D Mungse among others said that the 22 ft by 22 ft room had a huge blackboard and tables and chairs for students.

The State government had on April 30, 1997 issued a circular directing school and college managements to ensure that their teachers did not conduct such private classes for more than five students thereby reinforcing the existing ban on tuition classes.

A district-wise vigilance committee including the Deputy Director of Education, education officer, Secondary, Zilla Parishad, two representatives of parents, teachers8217; unions, students and social workers was set up following the government order. A total of 30 complaints were registered at Pune, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Raigad, Khateeb said.

Not only has the Deputy Director8217;s office decided to take stern measures, but has invited complaints regarding teachers who despite working in government aided schools or colleges illegally conducted classes.