Kottayam turning into next Kota isn't necessarily a good thing as it can lead to more students suffering with mental health issues.
Published Jul 12, 2024 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 12, 2024 | 11:00 AM
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In a recent report submitted to the Supreme Court on the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, IIT Madras stated that due to the availability of many coaching centers, Kerala’s Kottayam ranks third in India for having most rank holders.
25 students from Kottayam scored positions within the top 1000 ranks, gaining it city-wise third rank. Sikar and Kota in Rajasthan stand first and second respectively.
Though it appears to be a significant achievement at first glance, highlighting Kottayam’s strong educational infrastructure and student performance, the reality is entirely different.
Kottayam, a central district in Kerala, is often referred to as the land of “3Ls” – Latex, Lakes, and Literature. Renowned for being the first fully literate district in India, it achieved the milestone as early as 1989 and it has a rich history of educational excellence.
This success is partly attributed to the efforts of Christian missionaries who established numerous educational institutions in the district. Kottayam continues to maintain an impressive record of excellence in education.
While Kottayam’s ranking indicates high educational standards, it also raises potential concerns over how coaching centers operate. Kota, known for its coaching centers, has faced issues related to student stress, mental health problems, and even an increase in suicides due to the intense pressure to perform well.
As Kottayam gains a reputation similar to Kota, there is a risk of increasing pressure on students, potentially leading to similar mental health challenges. So it becomes crucial to address how these coaching centers operate.
Speaking to South First, Dhanya Nair, parent of a NEET aspirant from Pakkil in Kottayam said, “We don’t know how these coaching centers get our contact numbers. When we asked the teachers and school management, they said they don’t provide any confidential details of students, and tuition centers also deny passing contact numbers to NEET coaching centers.”
“However, there are direct marketing staff for these coaching centers. They approach students in front of schools with questionaries about their higher studies. Students fill out these forms without knowing the consequences. Before the exam results are out, these coaching centers call parents with attractive schemes and scholarships and say we will guide you in choosing best career plans. It seems they have more marketing staff than teachers,” Dhanya said.
Sikar, which had 27 people in the top 1000 in 2023, reported 55 top rank holders this year. Kota had 35, an increase of 33 from last year. Kottayam, which had only 14 rank holders in the top 1000, now has 25 aspirants. This increase can be attributed to the presence of several coaching centers in these places.
In Kottayam, specifically the Pala area, there are double dozens of coaching centers. In the past, an institute called ‘Brilliant’ had a monopoly on entrance coaching in the area and had a good track record. Taking advantage of Pala’s fame, other smaller institutes began to operate from there. Currently, there are more than 17 big coaching centers and a total of up to 35 centers.
“Students from other districts and states also come to Kottayam for coaching. These big institutes take on students and design their lives for a certain period of time,” said Rakesh Krishna, a resident of Kottayam.
Speaking to South First, B Nidheesh, a private tutor in Kottayam said that the students often have the option to choose between regular, crash, or holiday batches after completing their 12th grade or along with that.
“Many opt for hostel facilities provided by these institutes, but the conditions can be restrictive, similar to those of a prison. Once admitted, students are often denied permission to leave only even when their parents request it,” he explained.
He further added, “recently, a student who achieved high scores in her 12th exams was invited by a residents’ association to honour her for her hard work and success. However, despite her parents’ request, the institute refused to grant her permission to attend.”
Recently the Union Government’s higher education department had issued ‘Guidelines for registration and regulation of coaching center 2024’.
The guidelines states that the coaching centers must refrain from making misleading promises or guarantees regarding ranks or marks to attract parents and students. It also instructed the coaching centers to maintain a website containing information on tutors’ qualifications, courses, curriculum details, duration, hostel facilities, and fee structure.
Further it stated that the tuition fees for various courses must be fair and reasonable, with detailed receipts provided and also a pro-rata refund. However, no coaching center is transparent on the fee structure.
S Aswini, a NEET aspirant and former student from NSS Karapuzha said that no student is aware that such guidelines exists and most of the coaching centers do not follow theses guidelines. They deviate from established guidelines and do not maintain a uniform fee structure.
“Fee ranges widely from ₹16,000 to ₹1, 50,000 for courses lasting six months to a year, with or without hostel facilities. There is absolutely no refund policies in any of the institutes. One third of the students drops out from the courses due to pressure from both coaching centers, schools curriculum and board exams,” Aswini elaborates to South First.
Aswini’s father Saji meanwhile says that the governments, either the Union or the State should fix a slab fees for NEET coaching because middle class cannot afford to pay.
Comparing Kottayam coaching centers to the ones in Kota, Saji said that Kota’s rise to fame is largely due to its numerous coaching centers.
“This commercialisation of education has often prioritized profits over student well-being. If Kottayam follows this path, there is a danger that educational quality could be compromised in favor of financial gains and also it may lead to an unhealthy competitive environment,” he adds.
Absence of data on coaching centers
The District Education Department has no data on the coaching centers that has been functioning in Kottayam. The office of the Principal Secretary of Higher Education Department said that they do not have such data on the coaching centers.
Speaking to South First, Ajayan C, Additional Secretary of Higher Education said that the department do not have any data on the NEET coaching centers.
“Pala in Kottayam has a reputation for coaching centers and we are aware that many coaching centers are mushrooming in the region. We do not have any details or data on the coaching center numbers and how they operate etc,” Ajayan said.
(Edited by Neena)
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