Regulate coaching classes: HC to varsity

MUMBAI, June 16: The Bombay High Court has directed the state government and the University of Mumbai to carve out a regulatory framework fo...

MUMBAI, June 16: The Bombay High Court has directed the state government and the University of Mumbai to carve out a regulatory framework for private coaching classes which have sprouted all over the state.

Directing the government to file an affidavit before June 24 explaining what steps it proposed to take in this regard, the division bench comprising Chief Justice M B Shah and Justice and R M S Khandeparkar, also ordered the government to empower the University of Mumbai to monitor donation-linked admissions in its affiliated colleges.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by the Forum for Fairness in Education FFE and the Maharashtra Underprivileged Teachers8217; Association which dwells on the quot;pernicious system of coaching classes and private tuitions which causes falling attendance of students in the collegequot;. The petition cites the example of Mithibai and Ruia colleges, where attendance of students is poor.

Apart from the state government and Vice-Chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, around 10coaching classes have been made respondents. The latter include: Joshi8217;s Kohinoor classes, Agarwal classes, Bhide Kapasi classes and Chate coaching classes. Soon, the Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education will also be named as a respondent.

The petitioners have linked absenteeism in colleges to the flourishing number of coaching classes, especially since many college teachers conduct private tuitions in such classes at the cost of their authorised college work. No wonder, students are tempted to join the classes, the petitioners say.

The bench, which heard the petitioners along with the battery of respondents, has asked the government to direct the university to monitor the admission process in senior colleges, especially the exchange of donations. It has also directed the university to take action against erring establishments which collect donations in contravention of the Maharashtra Educational Institution Prohibition of Capitation Fee Act.

The university has also been directed toregulate merit-based admissions and keep a check on lecturers who undertake private tuitions. The university has also been directed to instruct all affiliated colleges to maintain 75 per cent compulsory termwise attendance for students. The respective colleges have also been directed to inform parents about the students8217; attendance and behaviour.

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The university has also been instructed to monitor the internal assessment scheme. The exam board and university have been further directed to formulate a foolproof procedure, firstly for reassessment of answer books and secondly for avoiding leakage of question papers, the court ruled.

The petition was filed about a month ago following news reports of students who were allowed to take the final examination with little or no attendence, including 150 third year bachelor of commerce students of Mithibai College and 54 students of Ruia College, according to FFR President Bhagvnaji Raiyani.