Ordinance to control coaching classes

Maharashtra is the first state in the country to impose such restrictions on coaching classes. The Democratic Front government had announced the enaction of a law to curb malpractices by private classes after the controversial Chate Classes episode, but failed to do so due to the premature closure of the monsoon session of the assembly. However, the cabinet today decided to promulgate an ordinance and introduce the legislation in the next session of the Legislature.

As per the provisions of the ordinance, it will be mandatory for all coaching classes in the state to register themselves with the government by paying registration fees. The registration will be valid for a year and classes will be required to obtain separate registration for each faculty. They will have to pay registration fees to the government.

Deshmukh said the government will have the right to determine the fees to be charged to the students of each faculty. However, it will be mandatory for the classes to display the fees to be charged for each standard and faculty on its premises.

The ordinance also has a provision restricting the promotion of the classes through advertisements.“Henceforth, coaching classes cannot publish advertisements claiming credit for the success of students in the board examinations,” Deshmukh said. The schedule of classes will need the approval of the government, he added.

Minister for School Education Ramkrishna More, who accompanied Deshmukh, said the ordinance will be applicable only to classes providing coaching in government sanctioned-syllabi taught in schools and colleges. However, computer classes have been excluded from the ordinance, he added.

The ordinance will be implemented by the school education department of the state government. A competent officer of the school education department will be entrusted with the responsibility of keeping a watch on the activities of the tution classes. He will be authorised to raid class premises and check its record.

The moves to enact a law to control the coaching classes were initiated after the tussle between Machhindra Chate, owner of the controversial Chate Coaching Classes and Minister of State for School Education Anil Deshmukh. The latter had accused Chate of claiming the credit of success of students who had appeared in the merit list of SSC and HSC examinations. The controversy took a serious turn after Chate allegedly threatened Deshmukh and the latter lodged a compaint with the police, resulting in the arrest of the Chate. Opposition leaders in the legislature Narayan Rane, Nitin Gadkari and Gopinath Munde had rushed to the police station to help Chate and the entire controversy had become a political football.

Compulsory registration for each faculty.

Renewal of registration every year.
Tution fees to be determined by the government.
Restriction on maximum number of students to be admitted.
No advertisments of classes.
Guidelines for area of classroom and hygenic conditions inside the premises.
Compulsory display of fees charged, schedule of each class and registration certificate inside the premises.
Fine of Rs 50,000 and/or imprisonment of one year for violation of the provisions.