Bill on regulating coaching centres ready, to be tabled in Raj Assembly

Jaipur: State govt is set to introduce the Rajasthan Coaching Centre (Control and Regulation) Bill, 2024, in the upcoming Budget session of the assembly to address the alarming rise in student suicides in Kota, often referred to as the coaching capital of India.
The issue has gained renewed urgency following the suicide of four coaching students in Kota in the 18 days of this month alone. Govt had sought feedback on the draft legislation in July 2024, when the Bill was uploaded on the higher education department's website. Law minister Jogaram Patel said the govt is committed to tackling the crisis, emphasising that all possible measures to ensure well-being of students are being explored.
Speaking to TOI, Patel said, "Four suicide cases in Jan alone have shocked us. Our govt is very serious about taking all measures required to ensure no one suffers at coaching institutes. The Bill is ready and will be tabled." The draft Bill is now being examined by the law department, said sources.
The proposed legislation aims at regulating coaching institutes by introducing measures such as mandatory mental health counselling, limits on class hours, and stricter age restrictions for enrolment. In Feb 2024, the Union govt prohibited enrolment of students below 16 years of age at coaching institutes. According to sources, coaching institutes have lobbied with the state govt against including the age restriction in the Bill, citing a sharp decline of 30%-40% in student enrolments since implementation of the Union govt's guidelines.
"If this provision continues in the state law, it will further impact coaching businesses not only in Kota, but also in Jaipur and Sikar, which are emerging as coaching hubs," said a partner of a coaching institute in Jaipur. Attempts by TOI to contact higher education minister Prem Chand Bairwa for comments were unsuccessful.
Civil society groups and education activists have urged govt to expedite the Bill, stressing that the safety of students and their mental wellbeing should take precedence over commercial interests.