Safeguarding Student Mental Health: Rajasthan's Initiative to Address Depression and Suicides through the Coaching Institute (Control and Regulation) Bill 2023

Rajasthan— The state government is undertaking proactive measures to address the pressing issue of mental health problems, including depression and suicides, among students studying in coaching institutes . 

In an effort to combat this grave concern, the government is in the process of introducing the Rajasthan Coaching Institute ( Control and Regulation) Bill 2023 specifically tailored for coaching institutes. 

As a precursor to this legislation, comprehensive guidelines were issued on November 11, 2022, aimed at motivating coaching institutes and equipping students with mental resilience.

To ensure effective implementation of the government's guidelines, a State Level Committee has been established to closely monitor the situation, along with district level committees in place. District Collectors and Superintendents of Police were duly informed through letters on February 8, 2023, and February 15, 2023. Once the proposed Act is enacted, necessary actions will be taken in accordance with its provisions.

The proposed legislation advocates for the compulsory implementation of an aptitude test at the outset of coaching institute admissions, with the test outcomes intended to be shared with parents and guardians. This measure aims to filter out students lacking the aptitude for engineering or medical courses, preventing them from enrolling in coaching institutes.

The HC directives 

Acknowledging the gravity of the issue, the High Court in Jaipur took cognizance of the distressing incidents of student suicides in coaching institutes and took decisive action. In 2016, the court initiated the process by highlighting the matter, leading to further instructions issued on February 6, 2018.

Subsequently, on October 31, 2018, comprehensive guidelines were issued to all districts with the aim of providing students with the requisite mental support and security, in line with the directives of the State Government.

The Rajasthan Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority Bill 2022 has been proposed by the state government as a means to exert effective control over coaching institutions. The court was informed of this during the proceedings, and the government is diligently progressing with the necessary actions as ordered by the High Court on June 29, 2022, and September 12, 2022.

Interim guidelines given

Until the legislation is finalized, interim guidelines have been issued to coaching institutes to ensure their adherence to proper protocols and to provide students with essential mental support. 

Furthermore, the government is actively working towards establishing an e-complaint portal, which will serve as an efficient mechanism for addressing and resolving complaints received from students and parents regarding coaching centers and hostels in a timely manner.

Regular meetings are being conducted with the District Level Committee, coaching institutes, hostels, and P.G. associations to foster compliance with the issued instructions. 

The government has already commenced the process of compiling comprehensive reports based on the inspections conducted, which are being promptly shared with the district level committee. 

Giving details on the issue , Dr Shyam S. Kumawat, Assistant Director , College Education said that even before the government put up the bill, the department has been sending integrated reports to the district level commitee. The report contains details of timely inspection by officials. Besides the efforts , a dedicated helpline too has been established at the Udaipur district collectorate to cater to the specific needs and concerns of students, and to offer timely assistance as per the government's directives.

The suicide cases that shocked Rajasthan

In the span from January 2019 to December 2022, the police in Kota documented a total of 52 instances of student suicides, with 27 of them being enrolled in various coaching centers.

In 2022, there was a distressing surge with 15 reported cases of suicides within coaching institutes, the majority of which occurred between October and December, accounting for over 65% of the incidents. The highest number of students who took their own lives hailed from Bihar, amounting to 4, followed by Chhattisgarh with 3 cases.

Following an inquiry raised by Pana Chand Meghwal, an MLA in the state assembly, concerning the number and causes of student suicides in the Kota division, the Rajasthan government responded in writing, disclosing that 53 incidents were recorded during the four-year period, with 52 transpiring in Kota and 1 in Baran. This figure includes 16 suicides by college students, 10 by school students, and the remainder consisting of students from coaching centers.

The report identifies four key factors contributing to suicides among students attending coaching institutes, including diminished self-assurance due to underperformance in coaching center exams, pressure emanating from parental expectations, compounded physical and mental strain, as well as financial constraints, blackmail, and romantic entanglements.