Shimla, May 16:
Newly appointed member of the Himachal Pradesh Private Education Institutions Regulatory Commission, Vijay Pal Singh, has officially assumed charge.
Supporters and well-wishers believe Singh, known for his clear vision and fiery commitment, will bring a new momentum to the commission's functioning.
He has sacrificed a lucrative corporate career and instead embraced politics, a legacy left behind by his father Prof Vir Singh Chauhan, a veteran of Mandi district to serve the people of Seraj, hos home Constituency.
But he also walks into a minefield of unresolved challenges—most notably, the unchecked growth of private coaching centres operating outside the commission’s purview.
According to education activists and concerned citizens, these coaching shops—especially in urban hubs like Shimla, Solan, and Kangra—have become parallel education empires, minting crores by luring students with guaranteed success in competitive exams like NEET, IIT-JEE, and NITs.
Many of these shops work in tandem with private schools that offer 'dummy admissions'—enrolling students only on paper while they attend full-time coaching elsewhere.
“The Regulatory Commission’s role is being crippled as these institutions don’t fall under its jurisdiction. This is not just a revenue loss for the state; it's a direct hit on the school education system,” said a former education officer who wished not to be named.
Sources within the education department say that bringing these coaching centres under regulatory control would require legislative amendments.
“There is an urgent need to expand the Regulatory Commission's mandate to include these commercial coaching setups. They are reshaping the academic landscape of Himachal, often at the cost of formal schooling,” an official said.
Vijay Pal Singh’s appointment has sparked hope among many education reformers who see in him a potential game-changer.
“He has the fire. He knows the ground reality. If anyone can take the bull by the horns, it’s Vijay Pal,” said a former principal and close aide.
Singh, in his brief interaction with the press, did not comment directly on the issue of coaching shops but assured that “strengthening transparency and accountability in private education will be his top priority.”
As the state grapples with a growing disconnect between formal education and commercial coaching, all eyes are now on the commission—and on Vijay Pal Singh—to restore balance in Himachal's education ecosystem.
