Maharashtra plans to introduce a new policy regulating private coaching centers. The state’s School Education Department will present a draft of this framework during the upcoming winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly.
The proposed policy aims to establish operational rules for coaching classes. Key areas include registration requirements, fee structures, and infrastructure standards. It will also define what constitutes a “coaching class” under state law.
Proposed Regulations
The new guidelines are expected to cover several critical aspects. These include mandating registration based on set standards and ensuring proper facilities for students. Transparency in fee disclosure will be enforced, requiring coaching centers to make their prospectuses public.
The policy will also address misleading promises often made by coaching centers. This aims to protect students and parents from false advertising and unrealistic claims about academic success or job placement.
Official Statements and Background
A senior official from the School Education Department confirmed the drafting process. The department is studying existing regulations from other states, including Goa, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. It is also reviewing guidelines issued by the central government last year.
The official stated the department is considering whether the framework should primarily “control” the industry or “enable a better regulated” environment. This indicates an ongoing discussion about the policy’s overall approach.
School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse previously addressed the issue in March. He announced that a proposal was prepared at the commissioner level to curb malpractices in private coaching classes. Bhuse confirmed the state government would issue an Act based on this proposal.
Responding to concerns about the financial burden on students, Minister Bhuse noted the central government’s existing guidelines. He reiterated that Maharashtra’s School Education Department would develop its own legislation, building on a drafted proposal. “The Act will be published in the coming days,” Bhuse stated in March.
Policy Objectives
The primary objective of this regulatory framework is to standardize the operations of private coaching centers across Maharashtra. It seeks to ensure fair practices, provide adequate facilities, and prevent exploitation of students and parents. This initiative follows a rapid increase in the number of coaching centers operating throughout the state.