The Maharashtra government will come up with a code of conduct for private coaching classes after receiving complaints about exorbitant fees charged by them and other malpractices in the classes. A committee of legislators and education experts will be appointed to design the code of conduct. The government’s statement came after the issue was raised in the Assembly on Friday by all party members, to which education minister Vinod Tawde replied.
Admitting that there is no law in existence to curb malpractices in these classes, such as harassment of students by teachers, Mr Tawde said that the government was mulling a code of conduct to curb such incidents.
“A committee of education experts and legislators will be set up and will submit its report to the government by the monsoon session of legislature on the code of conduct,” he said.
BJP MLA Amit Satam and others raised the issue of sexual harassment of students by teachers in private coaching classes in Sion and Dadar and by a vehicle driver in Andheri.
BJP MLA Mangalprabhat Lodha pointed out about malpractices in the classes and exorbitant fees. The MLAs also highlighted the fees of Rs 2 lakh charged by some of the leading classes for class 11 and 12. Also, the MLAs demanded that the classes should have some rules and regulations on the lines of schools and colleges.
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar said that CCTV cameras should be made compulsory for the schools and classes to curb sexual harassment cases.
The minister admitted that there’s no government control over the fee charged by these classes and added that legislators should think of taking a policy decision on the issue.
Speaking on sexual harassment cases, Mr Tawde said “Schools have been directed to install CCTVs for security of students. There is a need for gender sensitisation in private classes,” he said adding that parent-teachers organisations will be roped-in for the purpose.
