HC asks govt: Do you seriously want to regulate menace of coaching classes?

The HC noted the fact that despite passing orders, way back in 1998, the government has done "little" in regulating the coaching classes

The Bombay High Court recently directed the Maharashtra government to clarify if it seriously intends to regulate the "menace" of coaching classes in the State, which have been "exploiting" the educational fraternity. The HC has sought this clarification after noting the fact that despite passing orders, way back in 1998, the government has done "little" in regulating the coaching classes.

A division bench of Justices Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari and Bharati Dangre accordingly directed the government to decide before August 9, as to if it has any interest in regulating the coaching classes.

"The present petition was filed before this court on December 2, 1999. It may be noted that this Court has disposed of a similar matter in 1998. However, from perusal of the present plea, we find that the grievance is still not redressed in 2018. The government has failed to take any steps to check the menace of coaching classes," the bench noted.

The bench noted that the coaching classes, which are rising rampantly in the State, are conducted on "commercial" basis and are also earning huge profits.

The government pleader in the matter, on the other hand, informed the bench that in 2000, an ordinance was passed defining the terms like coaching classes, tutor etc. He further informed the bench that the government had, accordingly, appointed committee to look into the matter and submit a draft of rules, for regulating the coaching classes.

"The preamble of the ordinance itself states that there is major growth of coaching classes in the State purely guided by commercial and unethical motives treating activity of education as purely business activity, resulting in gross malpractices by some unscrupulous classes and unhealthy competition in the student community," Justice Dharmadhikari noted.

"Thus, it is time to regulate the activity of coaching classes to safeguard the interests of student community in particular and the public in general," Justice Dharmadhikari said. The bench further noted that this committee submitted its report after extending the deadlines several times, only in April this year.

"We, therefore, desire to know as to whether the State is at all interested in making such a law as will be required for regulating the activities of coaching classes and preventing exploitation of all concerned or otherwise," Justice Dharmadhikari said.

The bench accordingly clarified that it would hear the matter only after knowing the stand of the government on this issue.