Maharashtra has taken a major step to rein in private coaching centres. The move follows the recent NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The state was at the centre of the national paper leak investigation. Now, the government has released a strict draft law. The new bill introduces clear rules for all coaching institutes. It regulates student fees, infrastructure safety, and daily study hours. The public can submit feedback on the draft bill until September 4.
Complete Ban on Dummy Schools and Basement Classes
The proposed law directly targets the popular ‘dummy school’ model. Private coaching centres can no longer tie up with regular schools.
Many students enroll in schools only on paper. They spend their entire day inside coaching classes instead. Under the new rules, the government will derecognize schools that allow this practice.
In addition, the bill completely bans classrooms in basements. Institutes must obtain fire and building safety certificates. They must also preserve CCTV footage for at least 30 days.
Five-Hour Daily Limit and Mandatory Weekly Rest
The draft bill focuses heavily on student welfare and stress relief. Institutes cannot teach for more than five hours a day. Both students and teachers must get a mandatory weekly day off. Centres cannot conduct mock tests on the day right after the weekly break.
Furthermore, institutes must grant planned leaves during major festivals. They must also appoint qualified counselors for students. Institutes will offer regular aptitude testing and career counseling.
Transparent Fee Rules, Fast Refunds, and Mandatory Registration
The draft law brings strong financial protection for parents. Coaching centres cannot increase fees in the middle of a course.
They cannot charge more than their declared rates. If a student leaves midway, the centre must refund the balance amount. This refund covers unused tuition, hostel, and mess charges. The centre must pay the refund within 10 days.
All coaching centres in hubs like Latur, Pune, and Nanded must register on a state portal within six months. Unregistered institutes will face heavy fines and immediate closure.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
