MUSCAT:  “In order to ensure academic development in the Indian Schools and also to contribute to the general wellbeing of students, the Board and the School Management Committees strongly caution teachers in our institutions not to engage in private tuition activities,” said Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Indian School Board, speaking exclusively to The Arabian Stories.

Private tuitions, a common recourse for parents seeking to bolster their children’s academic performance, has drawn attention for its potential drawbacks. 

While Dr. Manickam emphasized that private tuitions, which offer short-term benefits, come at a cost that outweighs their advantages, Dr Saji Uthupan, academician and social worker based in Oman, listed intense competition that is prevalent in schools here as one of the key drivers behind the popularity of private tuitions.

Acknowledging that private tuitions have long been utilized by parents to supplement their children’s academic learning, Dr. Manickam highlighted the toll it may take on students’ overall development. He cited reasons such as parents’ late working hours and lack of expertise in providing academic assistance as factors driving the demand for private tuitions.

“One must understand that education is not just scoring high marks in academics alone; the formation years of children should be well-utilized to develop their personality and character for which extracurricular activities play a vital role. Over-dependence on private tuitions can have adverse effect on self-directed study skills,” he cautioned.

Dr. Manickam underscored the broader educational goals beyond academic scores, emphasizing the importance of fostering students’ personality, character, and extracurricular interests during their formative years. He cautioned against over-dependence on private tuitions, warning of potential adverse effects on students’ self-directed study skills and creativity.

“We are also depriving children of their creative and critical thinking skills, self-study habits, and developing their hobbies by compelling them to attend private lessons for scoring better in their exams. Over emphasis on marks is something embedded in our culture; there should be a complete metamorphosis in the educational system itself to do away with the marks phobia,” he stressed.

He urged teachers to take pride in their students’ ability to succeed without private tuitions, while also acknowledging the need for self-reflection if students resort to external tutoring for academic success.

In light of these concerns, Dr. Manickam called on teachers within Indian schools to refrain from engaging in private tuition activities. He stressed the importance of prioritizing students’ academic development and overall well-being within the school environment.

Reiterating similar sentiments, Dr Saji Uthuppan, academician and social worker based in Oman, described private tuition as a ‘necessary evil’, despite being officially banned by law. Analysing the reasons behind their popularity, he stated: “It could be due to the competition that the children are facing in schools and the society as well.”

Acknowledging the significant role private tuitions play in Omani society, he highlighted concerns regarding the undue importance placed on tuitions by some teachers, potentially compromising the quality of education provided in schools.

Schools must provide additional support

Expressing empathy for parents who feel pressured to enrol their children in private tuitions, Dr. Saji cautioned against the belief that tuitions are essential for academic success. He underscored the importance of effective teaching in schools and the negative impact of over-reliance on tuitions on students’ motivation and physical well-being.

Proposing alternative solutions such as remedial classes within schools for weaker students, Dr. Uthuppan suggested that providing additional support within the school environment could bolster students’ confidence in academics and reduce the need for private tuitions.

“I strongly believe that if the schools provide an alternative classroom for weak students such as remedial classes the child’s confidence in academics could easily be improved so that they can avoid going for extra classes,” he stressed.

Furthermore, Dr. Uthuppan raised concerns about the unequal advantages afforded to privileged children through private tuitions, which may hinder their ability to think independently and earn success through their own efforts. He further warned against the notion that success can be bought through private tuitions, advocating for a reevaluation of the role and impact of tuitions on students’ holistic development and educational outcomes.

Quality of teaching affected?

Reflecting on the role of private tuitions on his children’s education, Manoj Kumar, a parent of two ISM students, shared a nuanced perspective that highlights both benefits and drawbacks. 

Reflecting the sentiments of many parents in Oman, Manoj Kumar highlighted both advantages and disadvantages of private tuitions for students. He noted that while children prefer attending tuition classes over studying at home, the dependency on tuitions pose challenges for busy parents like himself who struggle to provide adequate academic support at home.

One concern raised by Kumar is the prevalence of teachers offering private tuitions, leading to questions about the quality of education in schools. He emphasized the importance of teachers delivering effective instruction in the classroom rather than relying on tuitions for additional teaching opportunities.

Despite the drawbacks, Kumar acknowledged the benefits of private tuitions in clarifying doubts, particularly in subjects where parents lack expertise. However, he expressed concern about the impact on students’ overall development, as excessive focus on tuitions may limit time for extracurricular activities and skill-building.

Highlighting the need for a balanced approach, Kumar suggested improvements in the educational system to prioritize practical learning over theory. He stressed on the importance of developing skills relevant to the modern world, especially in the era of artificial intelligence.

Private tuitions — a boon or a bane?

TAS also received comments from social media users to the news report on private tuition symposium organised by the education ministry.

Several social media users weighed in on the topic, highlighting different aspects of private tuitions. While one user advocated for the establishment of tutorial institutions within Oman to provide structured academic support, another expressed concerns about unqualified individuals offering private tutoring services.

However, there were also apprehensions voiced by a user who questioned the possibility of authorities intervening in teachers’ private tutoring activities.

Whether it is permitted or not, private tuitions remain the bane/boon of educational system in Oman. Although this TAS survey focused on local Indian schools, there are several reports to indicate that the practice is prevalent in Oman. 

During the recently held Symposium on the topic, Dr. Khalsa bint Hamad Al Bahariya, an educational researcher at the Ministry of Education, had pointed out the spread of private lessons in recent times, and noted that it has affected the course of educational process and its desired results. 

She described private tuitions as double-edged swords, as they not only offer benefits, but also pose challenges at national and international levels.