Karnataka Education Reforms Sub-Committee Seeks Public Views on Regulating Coaching Centres and School Fees

The Education Reforms Sub-Committee, constituted by the Karnataka government, has initiated a public consultation process to gather suggestions from educationists, parents, and citizens regarding comprehensive reforms in the state's education sector. The primary focus of the sub-committee is tightening control over private tutorial centres and regulating school fees. The rapid proliferation of tutorials, academies, and study centres across Karnataka offering coaching for Classes 1 to 12 as well as competitive examinations such as CET, NEET, and JEE has raised significant concerns regarding exorbitant fees, lack of safety compliance, and aggressive marketing. The sub-committee is evaluating key policy proposals, including making mandatory registration compulsory for all coaching hubs, imposing building and fire-safety standards, setting classroom student caps, and introducing strict refund mechanisms alongside bans on misleading promotional advertisements. Furthermore, the panel is examining whether parallel private coaching conducted during regular school hours should be completely prohibited to ensure students remain engaged in formal schooling. Concerns have also been raised regarding government and aided school teachers engaging in private tuitions, which the department seeks to curb. Members of the public and academic institutions have been urged to submit their views before the sub-committee finalises its recommendations to the state government.

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