”Student safety is non-negotiable’: Sood orders inspection of coaching centers, assures robust framework

Expressing deep concern over infrastructural deficiencies and safety-related lapses in coaching centres, Delhi Home and Education Minister Ashish Sood stated that safety and well-being of students are paramount and cannot be compromised under any circumstances.

Any negligence affecting student safety will not be tolerated. Sood said all coaching institutes must strictly comply with safety norms and guidelines issued by the government and the Courts from time to time.

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He chaired a high-level meeting to assess the safety standards, infrastructure and regulatory framework governing coaching centres.

The meeting focused extensively on fire safety measures, regulatory shortcomings, student welfare, and unfair commercial practices adopted by certain coaching institutes.

Sood directed all departments like the MCD, Home Department, DFS, DDMA and others to ensure that coaching centre operators implement comprehensive and long-term safety measures without delay.

They were also asked to launch a special inspection campaign across major coaching hubs, including Mukherjee Nagar, Rajender Nagar, and Katwaria Sarai, to verify compliance with fire safety norms, building regulations, and other mandatory safety requirements.

Sood said there is a significant difference in the fees charged by these coaching centres. Additionally, questions remain about whether students are receiving quality education, as their studies are being conducted arbitrarily in unsafe locations. It was in wake of the unfortunate incidents in the past, and also recently in the nearby states, over 900 coaching centers have been inspected in a month so far, while the corporation have been asked to investigate, and based on this, centers that do not follow standards will be sealed and receive a notice.

The MCD has also been instructed to submit a daily Action Taken Report (ATR) to the Minister’s office regarding enforcement and compliance measures.

In addition, the Minister informed that the Directorate of Higher Education is in the process of drafting a comprehensive and robust Regulatory Framework for Coaching Institutes.