Pune: School Education Department Caps Coaching Hours at Five, Makes Weekly Holiday Mandatory to Ease Student Stress
Pune: School Education Department Caps Coaching Hours at Five, Makes Weekly Holiday Mandatory to Ease Student Stress ( Representative Image )
Pune, January 10, 2026: In a significant move aimed at reducing academic pressure and safeguarding students’ mental health, the School Education Department has issued comprehensive guidelines regulating schools and private coaching classes across Maharashtra. The directives, issued following observations made by the Supreme Court, introduce strict limits on class hours, mandatory weekly holidays and enhanced mental health support mechanisms.
As per the new guidelines, a district-level monitoring committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of the District Collector to address complaints related to schools and private tutoring institutes. The committee will include the Joint Director of Higher and Technical Education, Secondary Education Officer, District Surgeon and District Women and Child Development Officer. Social workers and child psychologists will also be appointed as nominated members with the Collector’s approval.
The department has mandated that institutions with more than 100 students must appoint at least one qualified counsellor or psychologist. Smaller institutions must seek assistance from external mental health professionals. In addition, teachers and staff will undergo training by certified mental health professionals twice a year. Educational institutions are also required to prepare written procedures for referrals to hospitals, mental health services and suicide prevention helplines, with helpline numbers prominently displayed on campuses and websites.
Specific norms have been laid down for private coaching classes. These include a cap of five hours of teaching per day, at least one weekly holiday for students and staff, and a ban on conducting assessments immediately after holidays. Classes cannot be held too early in the morning or late at night, and test results must not be announced publicly.
Coaching institutes have been directed to establish grievance redressal systems within a month and display related details prominently. They must also clearly inform parents and students that enrolment does not guarantee success or admission to professional courses such as medical, engineering, management or law.
The Education Department stated that the guidelines aim to create a healthier, more positive learning environment by balancing academic performance with students’ overall well-being. District committees will oversee implementation and ensure compliance across Pune and other districts.
