Amid Government failure to regulate private coaching centres in the State, these institutes continue to charging hefty fees from students in Kashmir Valley.A group of parents alleged that coaching centres located in Parry Pora area like Kashmir institute of excellence (KIE) and Nature coaching centre are charging huge tuition fees from students, Rs 10000 for each subject. Hefty amount is turning out to be headache for parents."I was asked to pay hefty amount by these coaching centres which is unaffordable for me as I am a middle class person with meager source of income. If the regulations were ordered by the government, they should be implemented on ground" Ghulam Mohammad, a Parent told GNS.Aaqib Ahmad a student said that “The coaching centres located in Parry Pora area asking us to pay Rs 10000 per subject, which is a big amount for our family as I belong to middle class family, so how can I study and get a better coaching at the same time".
Ghulam Rasool of Mehjoor Nagar a cart-vendor by profession said that, “our wards are not ready to get enrolled in alternate coaching centres citing reasons of sub-standard education facilities”.While owners of the coaching centres could not be contacted for comment, chairman Coaching Centers Association, GN Var, said that there is no fixed rate for coaching centers.When contacted Chairman Coaching Centers Association, GN Var, said that there is no fixed rate for coaching centers.“The rates are as per experience, standing and quality of education in the centers,” Var said, adding, “It is not a social service but completely a business.”“Market is open, one coaching center is charging Rs 8 thousand and another one is charging Rs 10 thousand per subject. But student is having his own choice which one to choose”, Var said.
He said that it was up to the students to choose such coaching centers to opt.“Secondly, the Government has recently announced a scheme ‘super 50’ and has opened free coaching in all districts of the state. Those who can’t afford (poor students) should prefer to enroll themselves in these coaching centers.”
However, he said that if government was sincere, then it should make the coaching as social service so as to accommodate the poor students.Kashmir is a minority state and ordinarily every poor student should be eligible to get 23 thousand scholarships from government. “This scheme has not been unraveled by government so far”.Director Shah Faisal told GNS that no complaint had been received so far. He, however, said that there is no fee regulation in coaching centers.“Coaching is purely a commercial industry”, he said, adding that a PIL—Ahsan Untoo v/s State was pending before the High court.“Under this PIL regulation of coaching centre is carried out which include Registration, safety, infrastructure.”Regarding hefty fee in coaching centers, he said, “We have not so far received any direction from high court.” (GNS)