Jaipur: In a significant directive aimed at addressing the issue of students neglecting regular school attendance in favor of private coaching, the Rajasthan High Court has stated that students who do not attend classes should not be permitted to appear for their board examinations. The court emphasized that the practice of students enrolling in schools simply to gain eligibility for board exams while spending their time at coaching centers undermines the fundamental purpose of formal education.
The ruling came during the hearing of a petition filed by a student who was denied the opportunity to appear for the board exams due to a lack of attendance. The court, led by Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur, stated that schools are not mere attendance-marking institutions. It highlighted the importance of a holistic education that includes in-person learning, classroom interactions with teachers, and participation in school activities, which cannot be replicated in a coaching environment.
The court’s decision is seen as a strong message to both students and parents who prioritize coaching over formal schooling. It stressed that attendance in school is mandatory, as it is crucial for a student’s overall personality development and is a key component of the education system.
The court directed the education department and the Board of Secondary Education to ensure strict compliance with attendance rules and to take a firm stand against the “proxy attendance” practice.
This directive is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the education system in Rajasthan, which has a large number of coaching centers for competitive exams. The court’s order reinforces the value of formal schooling and aims to curb the trend of “dummy admissions” where students are enrolled in schools but rarely attend classes.
