Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL to re-frame guidelines for coaching centres

New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to re-frame guidelines for coaching centres, citing policy-making as outside its jurisdiction.

The PIL aimed to address issues like criminal liability, fraud, exploitation, and safety in coaching centers and paying guest accommodations. The petition, filed by NGO Kutumb, highlighted the tragic deaths of three students in Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, due to negligence by a coaching institute.

It sought regulations for better living conditions, comprehensive education system reforms, and enhanced enforcement to prevent exploitation.

The bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, noted that the matter of policy making falls outside the court’s jurisdiction.

The petition requests the court to mandate that Centre and Delhi Government create specific rules and regulations for operating paying guest accommodations for students, both in Delhi and nationwide ensuring that such accommodations are safe, regulated, and suitable for students.

The plea also calls for the development of an education system focused on the holistic development and refinement of students’ minds rather than just preparing them for entrance examinations. The objective is to shift the emphasis towards broader educational goals and personal growth.

The plea, submitted that the respondents have failed to ensure adequate, safe, and affordable housing facilities for students and young aspirants in Delhi. This neglect impacts their overall personality development and ability to lead a dignified and prosperous life.

The respondents have not created an education system focused on the holistic refinement of students’ minds, but rather one centered solely on passing entrance examinations. This shift has worsened the quality of education in schools and colleges, increasing reliance on coaching institutes, stated the plea filed through Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh.

The coaching culture has become pervasive, with students investing heavily in preparation for various entrance exams. Exploitation by coaching institutes and PG accommodation providers, who charge exorbitant fees, has exacerbated this issue. The tragic incident in Rajendra Nagar highlighted the dire conditions of PG accommodations.

The plea seeks to address these failures by urging the court to enforce regulations that ensure better living conditions for students and reform the education system to focus on comprehensive development rather than mere examination success.

The petition was filed by the NGO Kutumb, it had previously requested the formation of a high-level expert committee to address concerns related to such incidents.

This new petition builds on their earlier advocacy by seeking enhanced regulations for coaching institutes and paying guest accommodations, as well as reforms in the education system to ensure student well-being and comprehensive development, it stated.

For years, coaching institutes and paying guest (PG) accommodation owners have been exploiting students, with insufficient government action to address these issues. Following a fire incident in Mukherjee Nagar last year, the Union of India issued guidelines urging all states and Union Territories (UTs) to regulate coaching institutes through a legal framework.

These guidelines aim to enhance student safety, security, and prevent exploitation. However, the petition argues that these measures are still inadequate and calls for more effective enforcement and comprehensive regulations.