In a significant move aimed at curbing the unchecked growth of private coaching institutions, the Maharashtra government has announced its intention to introduce a bill to regulate them. The decision, modelled on legislation enacted by Rajasthan, was disclosed by the state's Minister of School Education, Pankaj Bhoyar, during an informal interaction with journalists in Nagpur on Saturday.
The Growing Dominance of Coaching Centres
Minister Bhoyar expressed serious concern over the unchecked mushrooming of private coaching classes across the country, stating that this trend has begun to severely undermine the formal school education system. He highlighted a worrying shift in student priorities, where attending regular schools is taking a backseat.
"Students are increasingly prioritising private coaching over regular schools. In many cases, they do not attend schools at all," Bhoyar said. He attributed this to parental anxiety about their children's future, leading them to spend lakhs of rupees on what they perceive as better and more competitive education offered by these centres.
Impact on Schools and Government's Response
The minister pointed out a paradoxical situation developing in Maharashtra's schools. Posts for science and other subject teachers are lying vacant or underutilised, not due to a staff shortage but because of drastically falling student attendance. "When students prefer coaching centres, even well-staffed schools start losing relevance," he explained.
Referring to the precedent set by Rajasthan, Bhoyar noted that the situation there had deteriorated to a point where schools and colleges faced operational difficulties due to the explosive growth of private coaching. The Rajasthan government's legislative intervention to regulate these centres has now become a model for Maharashtra. "Maharashtra is also considering whether similar corrective measures are required," Bhoyar stated, confirming the plan for a new bill.
He emphasised the government's stance that while parents might see private coaching as the right choice, quality education must be accessible within the school system itself. The proposed reforms aim to restore public confidence in Maharashtra's school education framework.
Shifting Focus: Vidarbha's Tourism Potential
During the interaction, Bhoyar also shifted focus to the tourism potential of the Vidarbha region. He highlighted its unique ecological identity, centred around its significant tiger population and multiple reserves. "Vidarbha has several tiger reserves and a significant tiger population. Tourists from across the world visit the region to see tigers," he said. He proposed that if Vidarbha earns recognition as the ‘Tiger Capital’, it would be a matter of great pride for the state.
Additionally, he mentioned that Chikhaldara has the potential to develop the world's largest ‘sky walk’, which could emerge as a major global tourist attraction.
Update on Education Department Scam
On the ongoing investigation into the Shalarth ID scam within the education department, Minister Bhoyar provided an update. He stated that the probe is currently underway in Nashik. "Once the probe is completed, the future course of action in the case will be decided," he concluded.
