HRD seeks feedback from CBSE, UPSC to reduce students’ dependence on coaching centres

The government has also initiated IIT-PAL, in which at least 200 recorded lectures each for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology will be telecast on TV.
A coaching classroom
A coaching classroom

NEW DELHI: The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has sort feedback from various agencies involved in holding school examinations (such as CBSE) for recruitment to central government services such as UPSC and SSC to suggest ways to reduce dependence of students on coaching.

A senior government official with the Union HRD ministry explained that the aim is to device an examination pattern both for schools and admissions to engineering, medical colleges besides examinations for job recruitment. “We noticed that despite changing the examination pattern for IITs in 2013, which was aimed at reducing dependence on coaching centres, there has been a surge in students opting for coaching classes taking entrance tests. We want to know from the concerned government agencies, as to how this can be dealt with,” the official said. Since 2013, IIT entrance exams are held in two parts —Mains and Advanced. Based on the JEE-Advanced, a student should be among the top 20 per cent scorers in his or her respective Class XII Board. Until 2012, a student scoring 60 per cent in his/her Class XII board was eligible for a seat in IIT. The government said that it can try to reduce students’ dependence on tuitions.

A senior official with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)—the government’s official school book publisher, besides framing courses for school text books—said the coaching industry comes out with innovative methods that forces students to take refuge.

“Coaching centres device classes in such a way that they ensure some students will crack the entrances. That needs to be probed,” he added. There are 32 school examinations boards in India with different exam patterns that also contribute to the growth of these coaching centres. NCERT former director J S Rajput said, “NCERT has suggested an exam pattern but all boards are not following it. The government must re-examine the pattern to ensure that students are treated the same.”

The government has also initiated IIT-PAL, in which at least 200 recorded lectures each for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology will be telecast on TV by the HRD Ministry from January 1, 2017. This will be helpful for students who cannot afford to go to private tuition, the HRD Ministry said. Leading coaching centres in Delhi charge anywhere between `2 lakh and `3 lakh for a six-month course for engineering and medical entrances.

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