Coaching Ban During School Hours in Patna: DEO Orders Crackdown on Illegal Institutes

Patna: In a significant move to strengthen school education, the Patna District Education Office has banned the operation of all coaching institutes during school hours. The directive, issued following instructions from the Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, states that any coaching centre found functioning during school timings will face immediate closure.

District Education Officer (DEO) Sanjay Kumar confirmed that coaching institutes in the district will now be allowed to operate only after school hours. He also warned of strict action against government school teachers found engaged in coaching activities.

According to official data, about 600 coaching institutes are registered across Patna district. However, more than 3,000 coaching centres are believed to be running without registration, especially in rural blocks. Many of these unregistered centres are operating from single rooms or residential houses, often offering preparation for board exams such as Class 10 and 12.

To tackle the growing number of illegal coaching institutes, the DEO has instructed all Block Education Officers to survey and identify such centres. The DEO also emphasized that all coaching operators must adhere to the norms laid out by the government. Institutes failing to comply will be sealed and legal action will be initiated against their operators.

The DEO has also issued a directive to school principals making daily student attendance mandatory. “If a student is absent for 15 consecutive days, the school must inform their parents. Continued absence may lead to cancellation of their enrollment,” the order stated.

This move comes after authorities observed that a large number of students are opting to attend coaching centres instead of school. “Enrollment of such students will be canceled, and new students will be admitted in their place,” the DEO added.