1 week ago

Maharashtra Drafts Strict Law to Regulate Coaching Centres

Maharashtra wants to create strict rules for coaching centres.

The rules would cover centres teaching more than 25 students.

Coaching centres could not run together with schools using the dummy-school model.

They also could not operate in basements.

Centres would need to register and follow safety and student-care requirements.

They would have to limit teaching time, give weekly breaks and offer counselling.

Students leaving a course would receive refunds for unused services.

Centres breaking serious rules could face fines of up to Rs 50 lakh or be shut down.

Key facts

Coverage threshold: Coaching or tuition centres teaching more than 25 students
Registration: Existing centres would have six months to register; registration would remain valid for three years
Structural bans: The draft prohibits school-coaching integration and coaching classes operating from basements
Student protections: Weekly days off, a five-hour daily teaching limit, counselling and refunds for unused course, hostel and mess fees
Safety requirements: Centres would need fire and building safety certificates and retain at least one month of CCTV footage
Penalties: Fines would range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, with possible suspension, closure or deregistration
Minimum enrolment age: Children below 13 could not be enrolled, although the Centre’s 2024 guidelines prescribe a minimum age of 16

indianexpress.com · 1 week ago