Charge fee according to their whims, fancies; take as many students as they want
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Jan 18: Coaching Centers in Kashmir have become money minting machines as they charge fee according to their whims and fancies.
A group of parents while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Since the day COVID-19 norms have been relaxed coaching centers have started operations in full swing. Students are thronging these centers to prepare themselves for upcoming classes as they have not been able to attend the schools since August 2019.”
The group said, “The coaching centers have no fixed fee. They demand whatever they like. Parents are left with no other option but to pay through their nose.”
“If the fee of the private schools can be regulated and kept in check why can’t be the same yardstick be applied on these coaching centers?” the group asked.
An observer said, “These coaching centers enroll students without any regulation. There is no fixed number. They can enroll as many students as they like. These centers don’t even fall within the ambit of the Fee Fixation Committee.”
He said, “The Jammu and Kashmir administration should pay some attention towards these centers that charge exorbitant fee and compel parents to pay it in advance.”
The observer said that schools and other educational institutions continue to remain closed due to the pandemic and are likely to reopen in next 2 to 3 months. “Educational institutions were not reopened to ensure that they don’t become COVID hotspots but on the other hand the administration didn’t impose any restriction on these coaching centers and has allowed them to operate fully,” he added.
The observer said, “Someone needs to ask the helmsmen has the pandemic ended? Are these coaching centers safe? Why can’t these centers become the COVID hotspots?”
He claimed that most of the coaching centers that operate in Kashmir are in close contact with the people handling the affairs of the union territory. “Owners of these coaching centers believe that no one can act against them and they are above the law,” the observer added.
An official who wished not to be named said, “Kashmir is not the only place where the coaching centers have been allowed to operate these centers are running across the country as the COVID norms have been relaxed. In coming months, schools will also reopen.”
Referring to the issue of fee, the official said, “We have received complaints and we are looking into it. A mechanism is being put in place to regulate the fee being charged by them. The administration is aware about what you are asking and we are working on it.”
Government of Jammu and Kashmir
Coaching centers turn into money minting machines
