Business · India Bureau
Karnataka proposes ban on coaching for under-15s, caps daily hours
Draft regulations in Karnataka would prohibit coaching classes for students under 15 years of age and limit coaching to five hours daily for older students. Violations could attract penalties of up to ₹5 lakh under the proposed rules.
LSN India ·
Karnataka's education department has unveiled draft rules aimed at regulating the coaching industry, proposing a blanket ban on tuition classes for students below 15 years of age. The move represents a significant intervention in the private coaching sector, which has become increasingly prevalent across urban and semi-urban areas in India.
Under the proposed regulations, coaching centres would be restricted to offering classes for no more than five hours per day for eligible students. The rules also mandate provisions for fee payment through instalments and require coaching centres to offer refunds under specified circumstances, bringing greater consumer protection to parents and students.
Violations of these draft rules would attract substantial financial penalties, with fines potentially reaching ₹5 lakh depending on the nature and severity of non-compliance. The regulations seek to address concerns about excessive pressure on young students and the commercialization of education in the pre-board examination years.
The draft rules are part of broader efforts by state governments across India to regulate the coaching industry and ensure that educational practices align with child welfare principles. The Karnataka proposal will likely undergo public consultation before final implementation, potentially influencing similar regulatory frameworks in other states.