In light of the unprecended surge in the cases of student suicide reported in Rajasthan's educational hub Kota, the Supreme Court stated that the onus is on the parents and not the institutions for putting urealistic pressure on their wards. The decision came as the apex court was hearing a plea seeking regulation of private coaching institutes.'
What did the SC say?
According to the division bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti, "Coaching institutes in Kota cannot be blamed. It is parents putting undue pressure on their children in a highly competitive environment which is leading to students ending their lives,"
The court observed that "suicides are not happening because of the coaching institutes. They happen because the children cannot meet the expectations of their parents."
"Exams have become very competitive, and there are a lot of expectations from parents. Students are losing out by half a mark or one mark in such exams and are not able to cope with the pressure," the court said.
"Although most of us will not want any coaching institute to be there, but look at the conditions of schools. There is intense competition and students have no other option but to go to these coaching institutes", the top court further said.
The bench, which was hearing Public Interest Litigation (PIL), however, said it is a policy issue and "we cannot direct states to form a policy."
The petitioner withdrew the PIL after the court asked him to make a representation before the government.
The counsel in the case has confirmed that the petitioner will be approaching the government with a representation to regulate private coaching institutes throughout India.
