India’s education technology sector, particularly the offline coaching center industry, has recently faced significant turmoil following the abrupt closure of multiple FIITJEE branches in Delhi NCR and northern India. Speculation about the institute’s financial stability has emerged amidst reports of numerous teachers resigning en masse due to unpaid wages. Additionally, new safety audit regulations implemented by local authorities have contributed to the increased number of closures.
This sudden situation has left countless students without options, prompting parents to protest outside the now-closed branches of the institute. Social media has seen a flurry of images and videos capturing these parental demonstrations. Many parents have lodged police complaints, asserting that the coaching center shut down without any prior notice or refund for the fees already paid.
Reports indicate that the closures have affected various cities, including Delhi, Noida, Meerut, Varanasi, and Ghaziabad, among others. The community platform LocalCircles has highlighted feedback from parents in northern India, revealing that numerous FIITJEE centers have closed unexpectedly. This issue seems to reflect a larger trend affecting coaching institutes overall.
In a recent survey conducted by LocalCircles, which garnered 10,000 responses, 58 percent of parents reported experiencing issues with coaching institutes over the past two years, citing “broken promises, lack of trust, and transparency problems.” Additionally, 21 percent of parents expressed concerns regarding changes in teaching staff and their effectiveness, while another 21 percent highlighted difficulties related to refunds. Around 38 percent of respondents mentioned facing issues related to trust and transparency, and 20 percent indicated they had encountered all three problems during that time.
Sachin Taparia, the Founder of LocalCircles, remarked on the urgent need for regulatory intervention in the coaching class industry. He suggested that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs should collaborate to establish clear operational standards, guidelines, and regulations for coaching institutes in India to prevent such incidents from negatively impacting students in the future.
The ongoing scrutiny of coaching centers like FIITJEE has intensified following recent accidents in Delhi and surrounding areas. Safety audits have been conducted, leading to the designation of some institutes as unfit for operation, resulting in the sealing or closure of their premises.
Founded nearly three decades ago by DK Goel, a mechanical engineering graduate from IIT Delhi, FIITJEE specializes in preparing students for engineering entrance exams and offers coaching for NEET as well. The institute also provides foundational classes for grades 8, 9, and 10, boasting a nationwide presence.
