What Is Dummy Schooling? Here’s How Maharashtra Plans To Curb It

Last Updated:June 29, 2026, 15:59 IST

The issue was raised in the Assembly amid concerns that the nexus between some junior colleges and private coaching centres was undermining the formal education system

In a major move to curb the growing menace of “dummy schooling", the Maharashtra government has decided to introduce a biometric attendance system across junior colleges in the state.

School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, in a written reply in the Legislative Assembly to the questions asked by MLA Rohit Pawar, said the move is aimed at ensuring students attend classes regularly instead of remaining enrolled only on paper while preparing for competitive examinations at private coaching institutes.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over the increasing number of students who secure admission in junior colleges only to fulfil board examination requirements, while spending most of their time at coaching centres.

The practice, particularly prevalent among students preparing for engineering and medical entrance examinations, has raised serious questions over classroom attendance and the quality of school education.

According to the minister, the biometric attendance system, already introduced in some junior colleges, will now be expanded across the state. The government believes the technology will help monitor student attendance more effectively and discourage the practice of dummy admissions.

Bhuse also informed the House that the government is working on stricter regulation of private coaching institutes. District-level monitoring committees have been constituted to examine complaints and oversee implementation of the proposed measures.

The state is also framing guidelines in line with the Centre’s advisory on coaching institutes and the provisions of the Maharashtra Private Coaching Classes (Regulation) Act, 2026.

The issue was raised in the Assembly amid concerns that the nexus between some junior colleges and private coaching centres was undermining the formal education system.

The government said the proposed measures are intended to restore accountability in junior colleges and ensure that students receive classroom education rather than remaining merely enrolled for examination purposes.

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Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @...Read More

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