Coaching classes complete children’s education: Parents

Mumbai: Parents and teachers in the city are of the view that home tuitions and private coaching classes are now an integral part of the education system. According to them, coaching classes “complete the education” of children, which is “left incomplete” in schools and colleges. However, they also feel that the astronomical fees for competitive and entrance exams like medical and engineering should be regulated.

With the preparation of a draft “regulations in private coaching classes in Maharashtra” underway, it also says that teachers already teaching in schools/colleges will not be allowed to teach in private coaching classes. They (teachers) will have to select either a school or a class.

Patraleka Kumari, who has been in the teaching profession for the last six years, said, “I was jobless after quitting my job as a high school teacher for almost a year. Though I kept looking for vacancies in schools, nothing really came up. That is when a friend (of the same profession) suggested that I try coaching classes.”

“Coaching classes pay on the basis of hours or lectures taken and they are very particular about it. Moreover, finding a job in classes was easy and quick compared to getting one in a school,” she said.

Sunanda Rashikar, parent of a medical aspirant preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)  examinations, said, “There are no colleges for entrance exams and thus, students are supposed to study on their own. Hence, coaching classes help them to prepare. The fees are very high as we are paying almost `2 lakh but if the result is satisfactory, why would any parent mind?”

While another parent said, “We come from a lower middle class background and hence, cannot afford such huge amounts. Hence, if our child wants to give the JEE exam, we would need to prepare on our own. Hence, something should be done about the high fees.”