Centre forms panel to probe coaching reliance and entrance exam issues

The Ministry of Education has set up a special 9-member committee to improve the way students learn in schools. The goal is to find out why so many students are choosing coaching centres over regular school classes to prepare for entrance exams like NEET and JEE.One big issue the committee will look into is the rise of 'dummy schools.' These are schools where students are only enroled on paper but don't actually attend classes. Instead, they spend all their time in coaching centres. The government wants to understand how this is hurting the quality of school education.advertisementThe committee will also study how coaching centres advertise with flashy success stories and whether they are misleading students and parents.GAPS IN SCHOOLING AND CAREER AWARENESS
It will examine if schools are focusing too much on rote learning and not enough on important skills like logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.Another focus is to see if entrance exams are too competitive and whether they push students toward expensive coaching. The panel will check if school education is good enough to prepare students for such exams on its own.The committee will also look at career guidance. It wants to know if students are aware of all the different career options available, or if poor counselling is forcing them to chase just a few 'popular' career paths.MOVE TO TACKLE RISING PRESSURE AND STUDENT SAFETYadvertisementThe committee's findings could help the government make important policy changes—to make schooling stronger, reduce pressure on students, and limit over-dependence on coaching.This move comes after rising concerns about student stress, coaching-related suicides, safety issues, and growing academic pressure.(With PTI inputs)Must Watch

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• Hindustan Times

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