A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the revision of guidelines for coaching institutes, emphasizing the need for criminal accountability.
The petition advocates for stricter regulations and improved accountability to address concerns such as fraud, exploitation, and safety within these institutions.
The PIL requests the court to direct the Centre and the Delhi Government to create specific rules and regulations for student paying guest accommodations, both in Delhi and across India. The goal is to ensure that these accommodations are safe, regulated, and suitable for students.
Additionally, the plea calls for the development of an education system that promotes holistic student development rather than focusing solely on entrance exam preparation. It aims to shift the emphasis from mere examination success to broader educational goals and personal growth.
The petition argues that current conditions have led to inadequate, unsafe, and expensive housing for students, adversely affecting their overall development and quality of life. It asserts that the current education system prioritizes entrance exams over comprehensive student development, leading to a decline in educational quality and increased dependency on coaching institutes.
Filed by Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh on behalf of the NGO Kutumb, the plea highlights the negative impact of the coaching culture on students. The exploitation by coaching institutes and PG accommodation providers, including high fees, has worsened the situation. The recent tragic deaths of three students in Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, due to coaching institute negligence have further exposed the poor conditions of PG accommodations.
The petition aims to address these issues by urging the court to enforce regulations that ensure better living conditions for students and reform the education system to focus on holistic development. Kutumb, which had previously advocated for a high-level expert committee to address similar concerns, is continuing its advocacy with this new petition.
The plea underscores the ongoing exploitation of students by coaching institutes and PG accommodation owners, with insufficient government action to tackle these issues.
Although the Union of India issued guidelines last year after a fire incident in Mukherjee Nagar to regulate coaching institutes and enhance student safety, the petition argues that these measures remain inadequate and calls for more effective enforcement and comprehensive regulations.
