Formal schooling can’t be sidelined: UT’s message to coaching centres

Chandigarh: Amid rising concerns over school students missing classes due to overlapping coaching schedules, the Chandigarh education department on Friday held a meeting with private coaching centres to enforce a clear message — formal schooling cannot be sidelined.
Director, school education, Harsuhinderpal Singh Brar, who chaired the meeting, said the department would not allow the formal education system to be undermined. "Formal schooling and regular attendance are central to a child's academic and personal development. Coaching should support, not replace, the school system," he said.
Brar added that the meeting with coaching centre representatives was cordial and constructive. "I clearly told them they should not hold any classes during school hours, otherwise we will be compelled to act against them if this isn't addressed," he said. According to Brar, the coaching centres were receptive and assured the department that they were not scheduling classes during school hours, nor would they do so in the future.
The meeting follows growing pressure on the administration to regulate coaching institutes that reportedly conduct classes during school hours, particularly for students in classes 11 and 12. School authorities have flagged concerns that such practices are causing a dip in classroom attendance and creating dual academic burdens.
The Education Department had earlier issued notices to the coaching centres, calling for strict adherence to school hours and warning of enforcement if violations continued.
During the meeting, representatives of coaching centres also proposed that the school day for senior secondary students end at 12:30 pm instead of the existing 1 pm. They said that an earlier dismissal would allow students to reach coaching centres in time and return home earlier, reducing stress and commute issues. "We will deliberate on this further," Brar said, indicating that while the department is open to suggestions, student welfare and the integrity of school education remain top priorities.