Why dummy school trend is rising in Bhubaneswar & why experts are worried

Educationists have expressed concern over many students joining dummy schools and skipping regular classes in Bhubaneswar.

Dummy schools are those where students after passing the Matriculation examination are admitted in the same way as regular schools but they do not have to attend regular classes so that they can focus on preparation for competitive examinations. The students only go to the dummy schools during the time of the examinations and practicals. On the other hand, the coaching centres are earning huge sums of money by cashing in on the trend.

During an investigation by OTV, it was found that a reputed coaching institute in the capital city is charging fees of Rs 1.54 lakh for medical and Rs 1.65 lakh for engineering coaching on a yearly basis.

As per the system, the students are taught in the coaching centres and they only attend the examinations in the schools. However, they have to pay an additional fee of Rs 80,000 for it.

“Dummy school is illegal and a wrong concept. The number of dummy schools is rising because of the guardians. Students should take coaching, but only after their classes,” said Odisha Abhibhabak Sangha President Basudev Bhatta.

As per sources, some guardians are desperate to make their children doctors and engineers. As students face tough competition in JEE and NEET examinations, parents are not eager to send their children to the schools. The students are taking coaching in private coaching centres rather than going to schools. As 75 per cent of attendance is compulsory, many guardians are taking the help of dummy schools.

In response, educationists expressed concerns by saying that this trend is causing deviation from the formal education system.

“If a student attends classes regularly and participates in the school curriculum, he/she will be in a pleasant state of mind. The student will get a better education in the process and perform well in the entrance examinations as well. Guardians should refrain from taking the help of dummy and fake schools,” said former IIT professor Sunil Sarangi.

“Those who are providing coaching, have no fault as they are business organisations. They are giving advertisements for their business, but not forcing students to get admission. The guardians and students are mainly responsible for it,” said educationist Niranjan Panda.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), among the total number of students committing suicide in the country, 15.9 per cent are Higher Secondary students. At least 26 students taking coaching for JEE and NEET committed suicide at Kota in Rajasthan last year.

Following the development, the Union Educational Ministry prepared guidelines for the coaching centres on January 16, 2024, and asked all the states to formulate regulations in this regard. The Ministry also asked the states to keep a vigil on dummy schools. However, it seems the Odisha government has not taken it seriously. Questions have been raised about who is behind the illegal practice that is ruining the intellectual development and future of the students as schools are not only meant for education but also for the holistic growth of students.