The Karnataka government has published draft rules proposing to bar coaching centres from enrolling students under 15, require them to spread course fees across at least four instalments, and order them to return fees for unused classes within 10 days of a student’s withdrawal.
Coaching centres would have to keep information about courses, fees, faculty qualifications, course duration, refund policies and student outcomes updated on their websites, notice boards and prospectuses. The rules seek to restrict the duration and timing of classes, including tests, revisions, and doubt-clearing sessions. Coaching centres can operate only between 6am and 9pm, and not schedule classes during the regular school or college hours of enrolled students. Admission would be restricted to students after their secondary school examination. The draft rules propose barring institutions from misleading students and parents with promises of guaranteed ranks or high marks. They seek to prevent centres from collecting the entire fee in one payment. Parents and guardians must be offered the option of paying in at least four equal instalments over the course period, the rules say. The draft rules prohibit institutions from compelling students to buy books, notes or other study materials.
