The state government has made it essential for institutes offering coaching for competitive exams, including instruction to crack IAS and KAS, to register with the department of collegiate education, citing quality concerns.
The government has issued a circular in which it has urged competitive exam coaching establishments to register by paying a fee of Rs. 25,000 within 15 days, failing which it has threatened action under the Karnataka Education Act.
Several coaching institutes are currently required to register by paying a fee of Rs. 25,000 within 15 days, or face legal action under the Karnataka Education Act. Several coaching institutes are currently operating as societies or trusts, with trade licenses provided by municipal authorities. According to officials, the government wishes to limit the proliferation of coaching centers.
“There was a government order issued in 2006 that such institutions must register. But it was not enforced,” a senior official said. The department is planning to visit coaching institutes across the state for inspections to streamline them. “Quality is a matter of concern. There are reports about some institutes jumbling up students and not providing basic facilities like drinking water and toilets. Once the registration deadline is over, the department will constitute a team to visit such centres and verify if they are functioning properly,” the official added.
The department has outlined the requirements that coaching institutes must meet. They include the installation of surveillance cameras, the provision of potable water, separate restrooms for men and women, a well-equipped library, large classrooms, a PAN and GST number, qualified teaching staff, facilities for the differently-abled, and information on Income Tax returns, among other things.
Because tutoring for competitive tests such as the IAS and KAS is provided after pre-university, institutions must register with the department of collegiate education (higher education). Coaching centres that prepare students for entrance tests like CET and NEET should register with the Department of Pre-University Education. According to sources, however, not many have enrolled.
