Despite ban, integrated courses flourishing

MUMBAI: Ever since the Maharashtra government announced a ban on integrated coaching classes from academic year 2018-19, parents have been hesitant to send their wards to junior colleges that have ties with such classes.

Meanwhile, the coaching class association has claimed that despite the ban, such courses continue to exist in many corners of the city.

Narendra Bhambwani, ex-vice-president of the Maharashtra Coaching Class Owners Association, said that such classes continue to exist and that they would continue to make money as students opt for them.

“Parents should understand the huge risk behind these integrated coaching classes and should not go for them, no matter what they offer. There are several classes who have started their own colleges wh-
ere they accept admissions but in reality, they are giving them coaching by the side, thus making money,” he said.

Parents debate that integrated courses save time of the students, as along with their regular colleges, they are being able to prepare for entrance examinations. “Entrance examinations, conducted on a national-level are usually tough and needs around enough to prepare. What is wrong if the students use their junior college time to prepare,” asked a parent, who did not wish to be quoted.

The state education department is trying its best to make parents and students aware of the dangerous implications of such classes.

The first year junior college (FYJC) admission portal has a special note for parents and students to create awareness about the issue.

Moreover, because students bunk college lectures to attend coaching, biometric atte-ndance has been made mandatory, especially for science and commerce streams.

In integrated coaching, colleges tie up with classes and enter into an understanding with the latter where students don’t need to attend college lectures and are still given full attendance and internal marks.