The Ministry of Education has taken a significant step toward standardizing coaching centers across the country by preparing comprehensive guidelines for their regulation. The guidelines, now under consideration by States/UTs for potential implementation through an appropriate legal framework, aim to bring uniformity and accountability to the coaching center landscape.

Key aspects covered in the guidelines include a clear definition of coaching centers, specified conditions and necessary documents for registration, considerations related to fees, infrastructure prerequisites for establishment, and the establishment of a code of conduct. The guidelines emphasize the importance of mental well-being, advocating for the inclusion of counselors and psychologists’ support within coaching centers. Other significant aspects include the prohibition of batch segregation, maintenance of records, continuous monitoring, complaint mechanisms, penalties, cancellation of registration processes, and appeals.

Education, listed in the concurrent list, necessitates action from State and UT Governments to implement the guidelines through appropriate legal frameworks.

The move aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which strives to ensure that every child has an opportunity to learn and excel, irrespective of their background or circumstances. NEP 2020 addresses concerns of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), including females, transgender individuals, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities, and other categories, aiming to bridge gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes in school education.

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, is already implementing the Samagra Shiksha scheme since 2018-19, which aims to bridge gender and social category gaps at all levels of school education. The scheme includes provisions like Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) to ensure access and quality education for girls from disadvantaged groups.

Furthermore, the Samagra Shiksha scheme covers Children with Special Needs (CwSN) from pre-primary to senior secondary levels across the country. Inclusive efforts for student learning support include aids, appliances, teaching aids, assistive devices, identification and assessment camps, training programs, and more.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) contributes to student learning support with initiatives like the ePathshala portal and a mobile app platform, providing free access to NCERT books and e-content. NCERT textbooks are also available in audio format, and supplementary reading material has been developed.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar, provided this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. The guidelines for coaching centers represent a concerted effort towards standardization and inclusivity in the education sector.