Explainer: How to reduce dependence on coaching centres?

A committee formed by the Centre to suggest ways to reduce the dependency on coaching centres has identified the transition from Class 10 to Class 11 as a major stress point for students, while exploring the possibility of introducing competitive tests in Class 11. The committee, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, met twice in August and November last year. According to officials, the panel is analysing if the difficulty level of competitive exams taken up after Class 12 is in sync with the Class 12 curriculum, which is the basis of these exams.Board exam weightageOne of the proposals includes giving more weightage to board examination results in college admissions and exploring the possibility of introducing competitive tests in Class 11.The nine-member committee — including members from the CBSE, National Testing Agency and professors from IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Madras and NIT-Trichy — has suggested an overhaul of the school curriculum and limiting coaching hours.The committee is also evaluating the awareness levels among students and parents regarding career options that are not limited to a few top institutions. The deliberations also centred around the availability and effectiveness of career counselling services in schools.Putting a cap on coaching hours, redesigning curricula to mirror post-school competitive entrance examinations and giving greater weightage to board examination results are among the key suggestions of the committee.Dummy schoolsA major concern of the education ministry has been the proliferation of dummy schools, where students take admissions after Class 10 to pursue preparation for engineering and medical entrance exams. These schools are formally affiliated with state boards or CBSE, where students enrol but don’t attend classes regularly, instead focusing on coaching for competitive exams like JEE or NEET, using the school only for mandatory attendance for board exams.The committee discussed that the lack of alignment between the school curricula and competitive exam requirements is leading to a rise in dummy schools. For example, the competitive exams have multiple choice format questions, which is not the case in the school-based curriculum.Survey on cardsThe Education Ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy and CBSE might conduct a survey to assess students’ level of engagement with coaching classes. It has also been suggested that CBSE could devise a framework for remedial classes within schools to reduce reliance on private coaching.The NCERT, with the support of CBSE and other boards, could become the nodal agency to ensure that the school curricula and competitive test requirements gel.Gaps in schooling systemThe Ministry of Education had constituted the committee last year to address growing concerns regarding students’ reliance on coaching centres. It is examining the gaps in the schooling system that contribute to the dependence on coaching centres, particularly the limited focus on critical thinking, logical reasoning, analytical skills and innovation, and the prevalence of rote learning practices.The panel is also reviewing the advertising practices of coaching centres, including the use of misleading claims and promotion of selective success stories.It will also assess the availability and effectiveness of career counselling services in schools and colleges, and suggest measures for strengthening career guidance frameworks.Coaching centres came under intense scrutiny after complaints of student suicides rose. In 2024, the Education Ministry came out with guidelines which stated that coaching centres cannot enrol students below 16 years of age, make misleading promises and guarantee rank or good marks.The guidelines were issued to manage the unregulated private coaching centres charging exorbitant fees from students, and the undue stress on students resulting in suicides and other malpractices.“No coaching centre shall engage tutors having qualifications less than graduation. Student enrolment should be only after secondary school examination,” the guidelines said. The centres cannot hire the services of any tutor or person who has been convicted of any offence, involving moral turpitude, it was mandated.Coaching centres are also required to take steps for the mental well-being of students.The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows a concerning rise in student suicides in India, reaching a peak of 13,892 in 2023, an 8.1 per cent share of total suicides, driven by academic pressure, family issues, mental health struggles, and financial stress.

Explainer: How to reduce dependence on coaching centres?

A Centre-appointed panel has suggested limiting coaching hours, aligning school curriculum with competitive tests and extra weightage to Class 12 board results

Aksheev Thakur

Explainer: How to reduce dependence on coaching centres?

A Centre-appointed panel has suggested limiting coaching hours, aligning school curriculum with competitive tests and extra weightage to Class 12 board results

Aksheev Thakur

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