FIITJEE centers closure case: 58% parents report broken promises, trust, transparency issues

New Delhi: Over the past few weeks, FIITJEE has shut down several centers across Delhi-NCR, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh and many teachers have resigned due to non-payment of salaries for months.

As FIITJEE centers shut, 58% of parents, whose wards attend competitive coaching classes, reported broken promises, trust, and transparency issues.

On January 25, the owner of FIITJEE and 11 others were booked on a complaint by the parents of the coaching institute's students after centers in Delhi- NCR shut down.

According to the study by LocalCircles, 38% of respondents hinted at false promises, trust, and transparency issues.

Feedback from parents in North India indicates that a large number of FIITJEE centers have unexpectedly shut down. The closures are reported to be primarily due to financial constraints and unpaid salaries but it has left many students and parents in a difficult position especially with crucial exams approaching.

FIITJEE provides coaching for the prestigious IIT-JEE exam and the NEET exam. Several others like Allen, Aakash-Byjus, Vidyamandir, Narayana, PhysicsWallah, and several others provide similar coaching services. Over the years LocalCircles has continued to receive complaints about poor operating practices like overcrowding and poor infrastructure, overcharging besides, and poor teaching quality, forcing the students to seek alternative coaching centers.

In some cases, citizens have complained on social media about how they have been denied refunds of fees paid for the trial period. Through a survey, LocalCircles has once again strived to find out what the parents feel about the coaching centers their children/wards or even immediate family members have been studying in or have stopped going to.

The survey received over 10,000 responses from citizens located in 241 districts of India. 67% of respondents were men while 33% of respondents were women. 46% of respondents were from Tier 1, 37% from Tier 2 and 17% of respondents were from Tier 3 & 4 districts.

The study found that 58% of parents surveyed have had broken promises, trust, and transparency issues with coaching institutes in the last 24 months.

Most institutes have a policy of refund if the students/parents are not satisfied with the outcomes, but this is not adhered to. In summary, while there is an urgent need for the Government to intervene on the FIITJEE issue, there is a broader need for intervention in how coaching classes are conducted, the standards, and consumer protection.