Devgad beach incident: Trips of pvt coaching institutions raise safety concerns

By: Pune Pulse

December 11, 2023

Pune has seen a significant increase in the number of private coaching centers and academies that have flourished in the city. Currently, the city is home to over 5,000 such institutions, serving a student population of more than 250,000 each academic year.

However, concerns have been raised about the lack of a well-defined system to register and supervise these establishments. The safety concern for students enrolled in these institutes have been heightened by the recent incident at Devgad Beach, where students from Sankalp Sainik Academy in Nigdi tragically drowned.

According to authorities, Maharashtra is host to approximately 150,000 to 200,000 private coaching centers and academies. Pune, often known as the Oxford of the East, boasts 5,100 private coaching institutes and academies, with an annual enrollment of 250,000 students. It is important to note that this figure does not include private tuition classes conducted at students’ homes.

In the absence of regulations, families are left without a designated authority or department to address their complaints in such unfortunate circumstances. On February 1, 2016, a tragic incident occurred at Murud Janjira beach during a college picnic, resulting in the drowning of approximately 14 students from Abeda Inamdar College, Pune. In 2018, the state education department issued mandatory instructions for schools and junior colleges to organize educational trips. Currently, representatives of private coaching institutes and academies are urging the government to establish a registration process for these institutes and develop operational guidelines.

As per the information provided, although the individuals managing these institutes are fulfilling their tax obligations, they are still unregulated and unregistered by the government. It would be beneficial for both students and institutes if the government establishes guidelines for such institutions.

As per the information received, many schools and colleges have been able to organize study tours and visits effectively by adhering to the government’s regulations and guidelines.

Additionally, all institutes should strictly follow precautions and should not organize any tours without the permission and consent of both the students and parents. If an institute falls under the jurisdiction of the higher education department, they will investigate the matter. However, if the institute is affiliated with a university, it is the responsibility of the respective university to regulate and take appropriate action.

After the unfortunate incident at Murud Janjira, the higher education department released compulsory guidelines in October 2018, stating that study tours should solely focus on the intellectual and overall personal development of students. The regulations for these educational trips emphasize the need for proper documentation, requiring colleges and schools to seek permission from the municipal corporation, Zilla parishad, or deputy director of education.

The necessary paperwork includes a letter of recommendation, a principal’s undertaking on a ₹100 stamp paper, a student list, a permission letter from the school management committee, information about the location of the visit, details about the transportation bus including the RTO passing certificate, information about student insurance, consent letters from both students and their parents, a tour schedule and timeline, a first-aid kit and its specifications, blood group information for all students, and student health certificates.