- Dr Kuldeep Sharma is among one of the senior most politician of J&K and a renowned social activist of North India.
JJ CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Aug 1: The Jammu Intellectual Forum (JIF) has taken a firm stance against the growing influence of tuition and coaching centers in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Jammu city, urging Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha to implement strict regulations to curb the rampant exploitation of students. The call to action comes in light of increasing reports of paper leaks and unregulated practices within these centers, which the Forum claims are significantly impacting deserving students.
In a press statement, Dr. Kuldeep Sharma, chairman of the Jammu Intellectual Forum, expressed deep concern over the unchecked operation of coaching centers that not only burden students with exorbitant fees but also compromise the integrity of examination processes. “We are witnessing a troubling trend where coaching centers resort to unethical practices, including paper leaking, to boost their success rates and maintain a façade of supremacy in society,” Dr. Sharma stated.
The chairman highlighted the detrimental effects these practices have on economically disadvantaged students who cannot afford the high fees typically charged by these institutions. “This is not just an academic issue; it’s a social injustice. Poor and deserving students are being deprived of their rightful opportunities due to the malpractices of these coaching centers,” he added.
Dr. Sharma cited recent alarming incidents from Delhi, where mismanagement at an IAS coaching center led to the tragic loss of three students’ lives. He emphasized that similar concerns could arise in Jammu if immediate action is not taken to regulate the burgeoning coaching industry. “We must learn from these tragedies and ensure that our educational institutions prioritize the well-being of students,” he said.
Further emphasizing the need for regulation, Dr. Sharma pointed out specific localities, including a well-known convent school in the Gandhi Nagar area and a coaching center in Paloura, which have created severe traffic hazards. “The chaos generated by these institutions can easily lead to mishaps, putting students and the general public at risk,” he remarked. He urged authorities to assess and mitigate such hazards to ensure the safety of all citizens and take action against the institutions.
The Forum also drew attention to similar challenges faced in Rajasthan, where paper leaking issues have raised suspicions about the involvement of coaching centers in these unethical practices. “It is not far-fetched to suggest that there exists a nexus between certain coaching centers and the leaking of examination papers,” Dr. Sharma asserted. “We need strong governmental measures to dismantle such networks that exploit students and jeopardize the integrity of our educational systems.”
In conclusion, Dr. Sharma implored the government to take decisive action against both the tuition and coaching centers that exploit students financially and those that contribute to traffic hazards. “The government must step in to ensure that the educational landscape of Jammu and Kashmir remains equitable, fair, and safe for all students,” he stated.
