Pune, 03 Oct

(HS): The education department has initiated

moves to bring tours and various activities of private tuition classes in the

state under the ambit of the rules. The issue of safety of tours conducted by

private tutorials has come to the fore in the wake of the Diveagar tragedy in

which eight students from Alandi drowned to death.

The Maharashtra Private Tuition Centres

(Registration and Regulation) Act, 2026 has been proposed to regulate private

tuition classes in the state. The draft law has been released inviting

objections and suggestions from various stakeholders including teachers,

parents, students, educationists.

The proposed law would make it mandatory for private

tuition classes with 25 or more students to register. Also proposed are

provisions prohibiting the admission of students under the age of 13, a maximum

of five hours of instruction per day, at least one day off per week, and the

appointment of qualified individuals as teachers.

The draft also provides for prohibiting full-time

teachers of recognised schools or colleges from teaching in private tuition classes.

Also, it has been banned to run tuition classes in the basement of the

building.

A provision has been proposed to impose a fine

ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh on private tuition centres violating the

rules, as well as cancellation of registration and closure of classes.

However, the draft notification does not contain

separate rules for tours, educational activities and security arrangements

required by private tutorials. The issue has now come under the spotlight in

the wake of the Diveagar tragedy, and there are indications that the education

department is considering bringing picnics and similar activities under the

purview of the proposed law.

This is likely to lead to separate regulations on

student safety, transport arrangements, appointment of invigilators and other

necessary measures for private tuition trips. It remains to be seen what

changes are made to the proposed law following objections to the draft.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar