The conditions laid down by the Education Department relating to private coaching classes, has led to intense discussion among the teachers, students and their parents. Besides others, one of the conditions is that the coaching classes for students below the age of 16 years are not allowed. The reason for this condition has been given as the coaching classes would affect their mental growth.
With the reports that students of fifth standard are unable to read and write sentences prescribed for the first standard, the standard of education imparted in a large number of schools can be imagined. Moreover, a huge population of children in rural and even urban slums are the first learners in schools.
While framing the rules for private coaching classes, it is important to take into account the standard of education in all schools, including those in remote and difficult areas. Even in many urban homes the parents are not conversant with the modern education methods and topics. They face difficulties in guiding their wards at home. It is true that the child should not be burdened with heavy curriculum. If basics of all subjects are made clear to them at primary and secondary levels, their pursuit for higher education would be comparatively easy. The school teachers will have to be trained first before closing private tuition classes.
In families where both the parents are working the condition is the same.
With admission to professional courses are based on the marks scored the importance of private tuition classes gained great importance. The trend of private tuition classes started within two years of introducing the 10+2 pattern (1975-1977) and is flourishing with every passing year.
Under the National Education Policy – 2020 efforts have been made to reduce the burden on school children. This is possible only when the teachers are trained to help every student understand the basics of every subject. In the race of scoring higher marks this curbs on private tuition classes is very difficult. Moreover the performance of schools and teachers is also related to the grants they receive from the government. Unless this vicious cycle is broken, school education in the true sense in schools alone is difficult.