Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: FIITJEE, one of India’s prominent coaching institutes for engineering and medical entrance exams, has closed at least eight centres across North India, including in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Bhopal, Varanasi, and Patna, after mass resignations by teachers over unpaid salaries. The closures have left hundreds of students and parents in distress just before crucial board and entrance exams.
Mass Closures Amid Financial Troubles
The closures follow an ongoing crisis at FIITJEE, reportedly triggered by severe financial difficulties and administrative violations. Affected branches, such as the one in Meerut, attempted to operate with limited staff from other centres but ultimately had to shut down.
Parents have expressed outrage over the sudden closures, citing a lack of prior notice and refusal to issue refunds. Protests have erupted outside shuttered centres, with parents demanding accountability.
One parent from Meerut revealed, “We invested Rs 6 lakh in my child’s coaching. FIITJEE assured us classes would continue despite closures in other cities. But now, the institute has shut down without any notice.”
Faculty Exodus Over Unpaid Salaries
An outgoing FIITJEE teacher confirmed the mass resignations, stating, “Faculty members have not been paid for months, forcing many of us to leave. Students are being left in the lurch with no solution in sight.”
Impact on Students
The crisis coincides with the January session of JEE Mains, a critical engineering entrance exam, adding immense pressure on students. Many parents worry about the impact on their children’s academic performance and mental health.
Administrative and Civic Challenges
The closures also stem from alleged licensing and fire safety violations at several centres, further complicating the institute’s situation. FIITJEE, founded in 1992 by IIT Delhi alumnus DK Goel, operates 72 centres across 41 cities and employs over 300 staff.
Parents Demand Action
Parents have lodged police complaints, calling for intervention and immediate refunds. “They took our money and assured us classes would continue. Now, we are left with nothing,” lamented a parent who recently paid Rs 4 lakh in fees.
Future of FIITJEE Hangs in Balance
As protests continue, FIITJEE’s financial troubles and management decisions are under scrutiny, raising questions about the future of its operations and its students’ educational prospects.
