Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has told the Bombay High Court that its draft bill on regulation of coaching classes was ready and the same is likely to be tabled before the State Legislative Assembly in the monsoon session.
The government informed a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik that during the hearing in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition in 1999 by Forum for Fairness of Education highlighting that there was no regulatory framework for coaching classes in the State. It pointed out that several coaching classes lacked even basic facilities.
The bench questioned when the regulatory framework would be ready considering recent developments in the country. “When will you (State) make the policy? That’s the question. This PIL is of 1999. Now we are in 2025. You still want some time. You have to be realistic,” the bench said.
Additional Government Pleader VishalmThadani submitted that an ordinance was introduced in the year 2000 to regulate the conduct of the coaching classes, however, no law was made in furtherance of the ordinance and it lapsed. He added that the State has prepared a draft bill and would be tabled before the State legislative assembly in July during the monsoon session.
The Union of India, on January 16, 2024, had issued guidelines to regulate coaching classes. It also directed all the states and union territories to frame their regulatory framework for coaching classes in their jurisdictions.
Thadani added that the State has asked the Commissioner of Education to undertake the study of guidelines issued by the Centre and submit a proposal on the issue to the government.
The court noted in its order that the State’s draft bill was ready and was likely to be tabled in the monsoon session. The court kept the PIL for hearing on July 28.
In 1999, city-based NGO Forum for Fairness in Education had filed the PIL against the commercialisation of education by coaching classes and seeking that private coaching classes be regulated by the government.
The petitioner contended that teachers employed in government service usually teach at these coaching centres, giving more time and attention to students attending the coaching classes at the cost of their duties in the school.
