In a major development following the tragic death of three IAS aspirants, the Delhi government has announced its decision to bring a law for regulating coaching centres throughout the city. Education Minister Atisi disclosed the plan at a press briefing here on Wednesday and said that there was an urgent need for close monitoring in the wake of the drowning incident in the flooded basement of a coaching institute at Old Rajinder Nagar.

Formation of a Regulatory Committee

The state government is going to form a committee consisting of the government’s representatives and students from various coaching hubs to ensure adequate and complete regulation. The committee will entrust this work to draft the new law, which is expected to address crucial issues relating to infrastructure standards, qualifications of teachers, fee structures, prevention of misleading advertisements, and others. She added that there was a requirement to take on board public feedback into the legislative process, ensuring that the voices of students and stakeholders are heard .

Immediate Actions Taken

Taking cognizance of the recent tragedy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has already sealed basements of 30 coaching centres that were running illegally. Notices have also been served to 200 other coaching centres that were found violating rules. According to Atishi, it is part of the crackdown against illegal operations, especially those running basements against the safety laws.

Ongoing Investigations

At present, the Delhi government is also conducting a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances that led to the drowning incident. It inquired as to which officials might have been negligent in addressing the complaints against the illegal use of the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle. Atishi warned that strict action would be taken against officers found guilty of negligence, thereby reaffirming that the government will indeed measure up to accountability.

Long-term Commitment to Safety

Atishi said that bringing this law is not merely a reaction to the recent incident but part of a long-term strategy aimed at enhancing the safety and quality of education in coaching centres. Regular inspections will be conducted to make sure that coaching centres follow the new regulations once those are enacted, said she.

This initiative, therefore, is against the backdrop of increasing reliance on coaching institutes for competitive examinations and an increased realization of having regulatory frameworks in this education sector. Consequently, the proactive approach adopted by the Delhi government is directed toward ensuring student welfare and prevention of tragic incidents in the future.