Delhi: Teachers and Students Oppose Hansraj College's bid to Offer Private IAS Coaching

Hansraj College, one of Delhi University's (DU) premier colleges, witnessed protests from students and teachers over its proposal to offer civil services coaching classes in collaboration with Beacon IAS coaching institute based in Delhi's Model Town. The teachers alleged that the college was in-principle violating the norms of a public-funded institution.

The brochure uploaded on the college website read that the IAS classes at Hansraj College have been designed to allow all undergraduate students of DU to prepare for competitive examinations by utilising their spare time during their chosen courses. The courses would be offered at Rs 75,000- Rs 1,50,000, depending on the students' marks.

It added, "It was noted by the Principal, Hansraj College that a majority of students in University, in almost all courses, drop a year or two, maybe more after graduation to prepare for Civil Services (UPSC) or other competitive examinations. Many succeed in their endeavour, but many more are subjected to failure and inability to focus because of how uncertain the competition results are. In order to mend this and to increase the chances of selection in examinations where success is not guaranteed, The Principal, Hansraj College, came up with a plan to assist the students with the preparation during their college days."

"Beacon IAS, having the best of faculty, has been given the opportunity to conduct classes in the college premises. Detailed deliberation has resulted in the creation of a well-synchronised preparatory program, keeping in view the academic calendar of the University of Delhi. It has been ensured that there is little or no conflict between the college's academic calendar and IAS classes," the order further added.

A teacher at the college who requested anonymity said that the entire idea remained the brainchild of Principal Dr Rama, who did not consult the staff council over the decision.

"Principal did not consult anyone in the staff council and treated college as her private property. How can she allow a private coaching institution even to think that they can offer such classes from premises of the college run from ordinary taxpayers' money? The mandate of a private institute is to offer classes who can afford it. In contrast, a public institution does not discriminate among its students based on their parents' incomes," the teacher said.

Abha Dev Habib, a former Executive Council Member, told NewsClick that it is increasingly a trend among colleges to opt for money minting methods.

"DU is known for its undergraduate courses, and using the reputation of a public-funded institution to benefit a private institute is grossly unjustified. We demand an immediate enquiry to look into its financial transactions and how much it profits from such a deal. We also want to know if the Principal has any vested interest in it?"

Habib, also Secretary, Democratic Teachers' Front, in a letter to the VC, said, "We have come to know that Swami Shraddhanand College is planning to start private coaching for IAS classes charging a sum of Rs 1,50,000 for three years. Similarly, Hansraj College has been running this course, charging fees of Rs 1,50,000 for this three year- course. Ramanujan College had advertised Rs 12,000 course fees for CUET coaching. All these details have been notified unabashedly on their college websites, seriously derailing the purpose and role of public-funded institutions to impart quality subsidised education to all sections of society."

Habib also said that the teachers wish to know if DU has permitted its colleges to become centres of such private tuition and hubs of profiteering.

"Shockingly, a college like Ramanujan can think of running a private coaching centre for CUET for enrollment of students to DU colleges, including Ramanujan itself. And colleges like Swami Shraddhanand and Hansraj offer private tuitions for IAS preparation," she said.

Abhigyan, who protested at the college along with other activists from All India Students Association (AISA), told NewsClick that the colleges are finding it increasingly acceptable to go into such collaborations even though the mandate of the public institutions is to serve people with affordable quality education.

"We protested at the college and expressed our anguish over the issue. We have sought time with the Principal, and she will meet us on June 3 next month. What's more worrying is that the government is pushing institutions to such collaborations in the name of innovations and philanthropy. This is not how you serve common people."

AK Bhagi, President, Delhi University Teachers Association, told NewsClick over the phone that it has asked Vice-Chancellor to instruct colleges to stop such programmes because it is in direct conflict of interest with the institution's mandate.

"We have asked VC to discuss in Executive Council meet because they are setting a wrong precedent. The job of the public institutions is to discourage such profiteering, not otherwise."

DU VC reportedly said that he would ask officials to look into it as such activities are not permissible.

Dr Rama did not answer calls and text messages.