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New Delhi: Delhi's Minister for Education, Higher Education, and Technical Education, Shri Ashish Sood, held a meeting to discuss standards of safety, structures, and the restrictions on coaching institutes in the National Capital. Officials from the Home Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Urban Development Department, Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and the Directorate of Higher Education were present in the meeting.
Shri Sood expressed his concern about inadequate structures and safety lapses in coaching centres. He mentioned that the safety and the lives of students are the most important, and will not be compromised.
"The safety and welfare of students is our highest priority. Any negligence affecting student safety will not be tolerated. All coaching institutes must strictly comply with safety norms and guidelines issued by the Government and the Courts from time to time," the Minister said.
Safety from fire, the lack of regulations, and the welfare of students, as well as the unlawful commerce of some coaching institutes, were discussed at length in the meeting. Shri Sood asked all the departments to make sure that the operators of the coaching centres implement safety measures that will be comprehensive and long-term, immediately. He also told the DDA, MCD, Delhi Fire Service, and DDMA to start an enforcement drive and do special inspections in the major coaching hubs of Mukherjee Nagar, Rajender Nagar, and Katwaria Sarai. These institutes will be checked for the following safety measures related to fire, and safety measures and regulations for buildings.
The MCD will provide inspection teams with the list of 923 coaching centres located throughout Delhi in order to enable coordinated action. Shri Sood also instructed the Delhi Fire Service, the Delhi Police, and other relevant departments to take stern action against all institutions breaching the safety of standards of safety or breaching other relevant laws. The MCD has also been instructed to provide the Minister's Office with a daily Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding enforcement and compliance.
In addition, the Minister has indicated that the drafting of a strong and comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Coaching Institutes has also commenced in the Directorate of Higher Education. The objective of the framework is to close existing gaps, enhance accountability, improve safety, and establish a transparent regulation system for the coaching centres in Delhi. The Government will receive the draft of the framework shortly.
Shri Sood reiterated the government’s commitment to student interest and stated that negligent institutions compromising student safety will face consequences. “Student safety is of utmost importance to the Delhi Government. Institutions can and will be punished for infringing student safety. Negligent institutions will be dealt with the utmost severity,” states Shri Sood.
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