HC asks Maharashtra govt to probe colleges that outsource classes to pvt firms
The association added that such colleges were making money under the guise of integrated courses
The Bombay high court on Friday directed the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit in response to a petition filed by the Maharashtra Class Owners Association, which alleged that several colleges in Mumbai and the surrounding suburbs have virtually ‘outsourced’ teaching to private tuition classes.
The association added that such colleges were making money under the guise of integrated courses.
The association said it filed such a petition to draw the court’s attention to the nexus between 20 to 30 colleges and established coaching classes. It said the scheme was designed to fleece hapless students seeking admissions to professional courses after Class 12, by luring them into seeking admissions to integrated courses.
These courses cover the regular Class 11 and 12 syllabus, as prescribed by the respective boards. They also help students prepare for Common Entrance Examinations for engineering and medical courses, as well as the Indian Institutes of Technology.
The association said that colleges entered into a commercial arrangement with established private coaching classes and allowed them to function on campus. Students were told that if they attended these classes, they would not have to attend college lectures.
The association contended that at several colleges, students felt compelled to opt for these integrated courses and pay the additional fees. The association’s counsel, advocate Sanjiv Sawant said the scheme violated provisions of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act 1987, colleges charge students extra for these classes. He requested the court to take action against the erring colleges.
The division bench of justice Anoop Mohta and justice Ajay Gadkari has posted the petition for further hearing on December 19.
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