Deadline over, many Coaching Centres continue to operate without registration

Srinagar, Aug 07: Over a month after the deadline set by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) for the mandatory registration of private coaching centres, many of these institutions continue to operate without proper registration. This ongoing issue has raised concerns about student safety and regulatory oversight.Earlier, in June, DSEK had issued a clear directive, warning all coaching centres to complete their registration within a one-month window. Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK), G.N. Itoo, had emphasised, “No coaching centre will be permitted to operate without proper registration. The rules, established in 2010, clearly mandate that any group wishing to run a private coaching centre must obtain registration. Failure to comply will lead to strict measures, including legal action.”However, despite the deadline, many coaching centres across Srinagar remain unregistered. Interestingly, over the past few years, the city has seen a surge in private coaching institutes, particularly those offering specialised courses for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. Areas such as Rajbagh, Parraypora, and Karan Nagar have emerged as educational hubs, with Parraypora even earning the nickname “Kota of Kashmir” due to its growing popularity among students from across the Valley.This rapid expansion, while providing opportunities for students, has also led to a lack of regulatory oversight, leaving many students exposed to substandard facilities. The DSEK’s directive is aimed at regulating the booming coaching industry and ensuring that these centres meet basic safety and infrastructure standards. The directive also aligns with the “Guidelines for Regulation of Coaching Centres 2024” introduced by the Ministry of Education, which mandates all coaching centres to register with local authorities and comply with specific safety, infrastructure, and fee regulations. Non-compliance could lead to heavy fines and even deregistration. However, officials now acknowledge that the registration process has stalled due to new requirements that mandate coaching centres to obtain No Objection Certificates (NoCs) from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) and Fire Department. These new conditions have created significant challenges, particularly for smaller coaching centres that struggle with limited infrastructure.“A delegation of coaching centre owners approached us, expressing difficulty in meeting the new requirements,” said Syed Shabir Ahmad, Joint Director of SCERT. “Many centres, especially smaller ones with limited infrastructure, are struggling to obtain the NOCs, particularly from the Fire Department. We are working to resolve these issues and expect to resume the registration process soon.” Haamid Mufti, President of the Coaching Centres Association of Kashmir, acknowledged the difficulties faced by many centres. “Around 95 percent of coaching centres struggle to obtain the NoCs required for registration,” he said. “We have discussed these issues with DSEK, and we are hopeful that our recommendations will be considered before any final decisions are taken.” As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether a solution can be found that strikes a balance between regulatory compliance and the sustainability of private coaching centres in the region. Until then, parents and students can only hope for a swift resolution that ensures their educational pursuits are not hindered by regulatory delays or compromised by substandard practices.