The Supreme Court of India, on Monday, stressed the urgent need for implementing uniform safety standards in coaching centers across the country. This call to action arises in response to the tragic deaths of three UPSC aspirants at a coaching facility in Delhi, which occurred due to flooding this past July.
A bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan handled the proceedings, where the case of the drownings in the basement library of Rau’s IAS Study Circle was reviewed. The incident not only highlighted severe infrastructural issues but also the absence of regulatory oversight that compromises student safety.
During the hearing, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, acting as amicus curiae, emphasized several critical areas that require immediate attention. These include the establishment of fire safety measures, fee regulation, appropriate student-to-classroom ratios, installation of CCTV systems, and the availability of medical facilities and mental health support at all coaching centers.
Justice Kant remarked on the need for a permanent oversight mechanism, stating, “It can’t be that an unfortunate incident occurs and suddenly everyone becomes aware of everything.” The court has directed that all states be included as parties to ensure the comprehensive implementation of these standards, starting with the National Capital Region (NCR).
The case, which was prompted by a catastrophic event that took the lives of Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Delvin from Kerala, has moved beyond mere regional concern to spotlight national safety regulations in educational institutes.
In addition to local measures, the court on September 20 directed a Union government-appointed committee to produce an interim report outlining preventative measures. This report is part of a broader scrutiny into the operations of coaching centers that were termed “death chambers” by the court in a previous hearing, emphasizing the dire consequences of negligence.
The Supreme Court’s involvement signifies a decisive step towards reforming the educational sector, particularly private coaching institutions that prepare students for various competitive exams. By mandating a review of safety protocols and enforcing compliance through legal means, the court aims to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.
Moreover, the transition of the investigation into the students’ deaths from the Delhi Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as ordered by the Delhi High Court, aims to maintain public confidence in the probe’s integrity.
