No glorification of toppers, results of routine tests to be kept confidential: Raj govt guidelines for coaching centres

In a groundbreaking move to prioritize the mental and emotional well-being of students, the Rajasthan government has recently issued a comprehensive set of guidelines for coaching institutes. These guidelines come in response to a concerning surge in student suicides, particularly in Kota, a prominent coaching hub in India. This blog post explores the key recommendations in these guidelines, highlighting the government's commitment to safeguarding students' mental health.

Ensuring Student Well-being-

1. Admission Criteria and Easy Exit Policy

One of the central recommendations of the Rajasthan government's guidelines is the implementation of a strict admission policy. Coaching institutes are now prohibited from admitting students below Class 9 without proper screening tests and counseling. If a registered student wishes to leave before completing the program, the institute must provide a full refund within 120 days. This measure aims to reduce undue pressure on young students and prioritize their readiness for intensive coaching.

2. Preventing Attendance Fraud

To curb the issue of attendance fraud, coaching institutes are required to employ facial recognition technology. This ensures accurate attendance records and discourages students from faking their presence, ultimately reducing the stress associated with attendance monitoring.

3. Promoting Mental Well-being

The guidelines emphasize the importance of mental health by mandating weekly holidays and prohibiting exams immediately following holidays. Additionally, a code of conduct for faculty and hostel management aims to create a supportive and nurturing environment for students.

4. Code of Conduct Enforcement

To maintain the integrity of these guidelines, district collectors have been tasked with ensuring compliance in their respective areas. Legal action awaits coaching institutes that violate the code of conduct, and a monitoring cell will be established in Kota and Sikar to oversee these institutions.

Promoting Equality and Confidentiality

1. Batch Allocation Based on Alphabetical Order

In a departure from traditional practices, coaching institutes are now instructed to assign batches alphabetically rather than based on students' ranks. This move eliminates the unnecessary pressure associated with constant performance comparisons.

2. Confidentiality of Results

Coaching institutes are now strictly prohibited from publishing the results of routine tests in the public domain. Students' marksheets must remain confidential, and individual counseling is encouraged to help them understand their performance better.

3. No Glorification of Toppers

To prevent unhealthy competition and undue pressure, the guidelines explicitly forbid coaching institutes from glorifying top-performing students.

Supporting Student Mental Health

1. Mandatory Training and Counseling

Coaching institutes are required to provide gatekeeper training to teachers, institute managers, staff, and hostel wardens. This training helps identify behavioral changes in students and enables timely preventive measures.

2. Professional Support

Institutes must employ a sufficient number of professional psychiatrists and counselors to monitor students' psychological health regularly. A structured counseling schedule is introduced, including sessions within 45, 90, and 120 days of admission, with optional career counseling for vulnerable students.

3. Collaboration with NIMHANS

A memorandum of understanding will be established with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to facilitate training and support for students.

Conclusion

The Rajasthan government's guidelines for coaching institutes mark a significant step toward prioritizing the mental health and well-being of students. By implementing these recommendations, coaching institutes can create a more nurturing and supportive environment, reducing the immense pressure students often face. As these guidelines take effect, they offer hope for a brighter and more mentally healthy future for the countless students who flock to Kota in pursuit of their dreams.