New guidelines ask coaching centres not to make tall claims

• The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has issued guidelines prohibiting coaching institutes from publishing misleading advertisements that make false claims on courses offered, their duration, faculty qualifications, fees and refund policies.

Highlights:

• In response to the increasing concerns over misleading advertising by coaching centres, new guidelines have been introduced to regulate claims made by these institutions. The guidelines aim to protect students and parents from unrealistic promises of guaranteed success, particularly in competitive exams.

Key Provisions of the Guidelines:

• No False Claims of Success: Coaching centres are now prohibited from making exaggerated claims about student success rates or guaranteed admissions into top institutions. The guidelines emphasize that advertisements should be factual and verifiable.
• Transparency in Advertising: Coaching centres must avoid deceptive statements or manipulated success statistics. The new rules require a clear, honest representation of results, including the total number of students enrolled and their performance data, if used in marketing.
• Standardized Fee Structures and Refund Policies: To curb financial exploitation, coaching centres are encouraged to adopt a transparent fee structure, specifying costs for courses, materials, and other services. Refund policies must also be clearly defined to avoid financial disputes.
• Instructor Qualifications: Coaching centres should clearly disclose the qualifications and experience of their teaching staff. This measure aims to ensure that students receive education from competent instructors.

Reasons for the Guidelines:

• Growing Student Dependence on Coaching Centres: With intense competition in academic and entrance exams, coaching centres have become pivotal in the preparation process. Many centres, however, exploit this dependency by making unrealistic promises of success.
• Psychological Pressure on Students: Tall claims by coaching centres create immense pressure on students and parents, often leading to stress and mental health issues when expectations are not met.
• Financial Exploitation: High fees coupled with ambiguous refund policies can cause financial strain on families, particularly when claims of guaranteed success are not met.

Impact of the Guidelines:

• Increased Accountability: By regulating advertising claims, coaching centres are held accountable for their promotional practices. Students and parents will have better information to make informed decisions.
• Reduced Misleading Claims: These guidelines are expected to reduce deceptive practices and promote ethical advertising, benefiting both students and their families.

Prelims Takeaways

• The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry