In today’s highly competitive academic landscape, coaching centers have become an essential part of students’ preparation for crucial board and entrance exams. Institutions like FIITJEE, Aakash, and Allen have played a pivotal role in guiding students toward success in exams such as the IIT-JEE and NEET. Parents invest significant time, trust, and finances into these institutes, expecting quality education and structured guidance for their children. However, the sudden and abrupt closure of several FIITJEE coaching centers across India has left thousands of students in distress, raising concerns about the credibility and stability of such institutions.
FIITJEE Centre Shutdowns Across Multiple Cities
In a shocking turn of events, as many as eight FIITJEE coaching centers across cities like Delhi, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Pune, and most recently Noida, have shut their doors, leaving students in limbo just months before their crucial board and entrance examinations.
FIITJEE has been a trusted name in engineering and medical entrance coaching, but financial and administrative turmoil has severely impacted its operations. The closures have resulted in protests by aggrieved parents, with complaints being filed at police stations in various cities, including Noida and Bhopal. Some district administrations have even revoked FIITJEE’s coaching licenses in response to the crisis.
Students and Parents in Distress
The abrupt shutdowns have disrupted the academic preparation of thousands of students, many of whom had already paid full course fees. Parents have expressed deep concerns over not only the financial losses but also the sudden halt in their children’s education.
Rajiv Kumar Chaudhary, a parent from Noida, shared his frustration: “We paid the full fees for a five-year program, with two years still remaining. Now, FIITJEE is suggesting we transfer our children to Aakash Institute. But the decision of where to send our child for further coaching should be ours, not theirs.”
Vijay Krishna Sahay, another affected parent from Patna, added, “The closure has completely disrupted my daughter’s studies and put her career at risk.”
Why Are FIITJEE Centres Closing?
Reports suggest that the primary reason for these abrupt shutdowns is mass resignations by faculty members due to months of unpaid salaries. One former teacher from the Patna center disclosed, “I had been teaching at FIITJEE for over four years, but I left in November because I had not received my salary since July 2024.”
A staff member from the Meerut center admitted that the lack of faculty had forced them to stop operations. “It has been a week since our teachers left the center for better opportunities elsewhere. We have informed the FIITJEE Delhi head office, and if they provide us with new faculty, we will resume classes,” he said.
Legally, companies can defer salaries for up to two months in cases of financial distress, but beyond this period, they are required to clear pending payments, even if it means selling assets. FIITJEE, however, reportedly denied facing a liquidity crisis, instead describing the non-payment of salaries as a “wake-up call” for employees to perform better.
A Toxic Work Culture and Financial Mismanagement
Beyond financial troubles, FIITJEE has been accused of fostering a toxic work environment. A video from December 2024 allegedly shows FIITJEE’s founder, DK Goel, verbally abusing employees during a virtual meeting. Employees have also complained about harsh working conditions and an unsupportive management style.
Additionally, civic and administrative violations, including fire safety and licensing issues, have plagued some of its centers. Allegations of financial mismanagement and fund diversions have further worsened the situation, leading to investor withdrawals and faculty attrition. Rising competition from newer players like Physics Wallah and Unacademy has also contributed to FIITJEE’s struggles.
The Impact on Students and the Education Sector
The FIITJEE crisis has sparked a larger debate on the accountability and regulation of private coaching centers. Given the enormous fees charged by such institutes, there is an urgent need for stricter monitoring to ensure financial stability and fair treatment of both students and faculty.
For now, affected students must find alternative coaching options, though this transition comes at an inconvenient time, with entrance exams fast approaching. Many parents are demanding legal intervention to secure refunds and justice for their children’s disrupted education.
The Need for Stronger Regulations
The sudden collapse of multiple FIITJEE centers underscores the vulnerability of students who rely on private coaching institutes. While coaching centers play an undeniable role in shaping academic futures, their operations must be more transparent and accountable. Government agencies and education boards should introduce regulatory frameworks to prevent such crises in the future.
Education is a fundamental right, and students must not suffer due to administrative failures. As the FIITJEE turmoil unfolds, it serves as a wake-up call for both institutions and policymakers to prioritize the well-being of students over financial and managerial interests.
(With inputs from agencies)
