Neyaz Elahi
Srinagar, Jan 2: Students are in a fix whether to deposit fee or not after the ‘rumours’ that government is going to close coaching centres in wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
There are reports that some coaching institutes are ‘forcing’ students to pay fee in advance. However, a large number of students are reluctant to do so. They say last year after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, they virtually suffered despite paying hefty amount as fee.
Dozens of students outside ‘Mission-e’ Coaching Institute at Raj Bagh Srinagar told news agency Kashmir News Trust that they are being forced to pay the fee in advance. “We are not allowed to enter into the classes and have been directed to pay the fee in advance,” said a student.
Students said that ‘Mission-e’ Coaching Institute charge Rs 70,000 for one year NEET coaching and Rs 45,000 for 3 to 4 months crash course. “The coaching institute has asked students to pay Rs 40,000 in advance but we are in a dilemma. What if government closes the coaching centres after we deposit the fee? We don’t want to lose our hard earned money.”
Some parents told KNT that they fail to understand the designs and motive of the government. “It’s fine for the government when people violate SOPs at tourist spots celebrating New Year. It’s OK for the government to allow political events, rallies and marriage celebrations but when it comes to education, it suddenly comes into life and remembers Covid-19 SOPs. This is double standard and virtually a ploy to derail the education system in Kashmir,” they said.
Haamid Mufti, Chairman ‘Mission-e’ Coaching Institute, Raj Bagh told KNT that they had already started demo classes but yesterday a team from administration visited the Institute directing them to follow SOPs in letter and spirit and decrease the student capacity. “Out of 200 students we can admit only 100 students now. We have to pay rent and salaries to the staff and keeping these facts into view, we asked students to pay the fee in advance,” he said adding that even if the government closes the coaching centres, students won’t suffer.
“During lock-down period we opted for online classes and still if internet service is suspended, we impart education through Pen Drives,” Haamid Mufti said.
When contacted, Director Education, Muhammad Younis Malik said it is the mandate of Disaster Management to take any decision in this regard. “There is no such proposal in my knowledge. Coaching Centres have been asked to follow SOPs in letter and spirit in wake of Covid-19 pandemic,” Director Education told KNT.
