Why in news?
A recent survey found that nearly one‑third of Indian students use private tutoring in addition to regular schooling. The findings rekindled concerns about educational inequality, parental spending and the regulation of coaching centres.
What is shadow schooling?
Shadow schooling refers to private coaching classes that mirror the school curriculum. Students attend these classes outside school hours to prepare for exams, practise problem‑solving and gain an edge in competitive tests. It flourishes in cities but is also spreading to smaller towns.
Why families turn to tutoring
- Competitive exams: Entrance tests for engineering, medicine and government jobs are highly competitive. Many parents believe coaching is essential for success.
- Perceived gaps in schooling: Large class sizes, limited individual attention and outdated teaching methods push parents to seek supplementary instruction.
- Parental aspirations: Middle‑class parents view education as a route to social mobility. They are willing to invest a significant share of their income in tutoring.
- Peer pressure: When classmates attend coaching, others follow to avoid falling behind.
Findings of the survey
- About 27–30 % of students nationally use private coaching. The proportion is higher in urban areas and among high‑income households.
- Households spend almost twice as much on coaching in cities as in rural areas. Spending increases sharply at the secondary and higher‑secondary levels.
- Only a small share of students receive financial support for tutoring; most costs are borne by families.
Implications
- Equity concerns: Access to quality coaching depends on the ability to pay. This widens gaps between rich and poor and undermines the idea of equal opportunity.
- Curriculum distortion: Coaching often emphasises rote learning and test‑taking strategies rather than conceptual understanding. This can distort school teaching as teachers feel compelled to “teach to the test”.
- Regulatory vacuum: Coaching centres operate largely unregulated. There have been cases of fire accidents and exploitation. States such as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have introduced licensing and safety rules, but enforcement is uneven.
Way ahead
- Strengthen schools: Improve teacher training, reduce class sizes and update curricula so that students do not need coaching for basics.
- Regulate coaching centres: Enforce safety norms, cap class sizes and introduce transparency in fees. Require centres to disclose success rates honestly.
- Provide support to needy students: Offer scholarships and community tutoring programmes so that poor students are not left behind.
- Encourage holistic education: Shift the focus from exam‑centred learning to critical thinking, creativity and life skills.