A government-appointed panel constituted to review the current Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) system for admission into the IITs, has floated the idea of creating a regulatory body for coaching institutions to ensure that such learning centres maintain best practices and charge regulated fees.
In its report submitted to the HRD ministry, the Committee of Eminent Persons headed by Ashok Misra deliberated on reducing the effect of coaching institutions in engineering entrance examinations and observed that coaching is a very lucrative industry.
The committee felt that the coaching industry has revenues of approximately Rs 24,000 crore per year but it also seems to fill a void - the absence of good teaching in schools - and does it effectively enough to make lots of money also.
"It is not always mindless profit, indeed at least some of the coaching institutions offer 'scholarships' for bright students who can't afford them otherwise," the committee has said in its report.
It, however, added there still are several objections to this aspect as purpose of education is refinement of the mind not passing an entrance examination, and also 'all work and no play' makes a plus-12 grade student a dull individual with less involvement in activities other than studies.
In its deliberations, the committee members also felt that students are forced to waste a lot time commuting in order to avail the benefits of coaching institutions.
While emphasising on the need to improve the standard of school education so that the need for coaching becomes redundant, the panel also suggested that it would be helpful if there is a regulatory body for the coaching institutions.
As an example, an All-India Council for Coaching for Entrance Examinations (AICCEE) maybe established with the demand that coaching institutes are well-equipped and maintain healthy and best practices as well as charge regulated fees, the panel said in its report.
"It is recognised that the dependence on and the perceived need for coaching can be reduced only over a period of time. However, we must work towards it, the panel said.
It also suggested that an online portal be set up for students to take mock tests while preparing for the JEE. The Corporates and the Government can use the services of good schools as well as good coaching themselves to set up online coaching classes with interactivity, the report added.
The HRD ministry has sought suggestions on the JEE system by November 30.
