Impact of private tuition debated
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22, 2013:
Even though resource persons at a one-day open discussion on 'Private Tuition Na Mahut Sillaklaba Manipurgee Education System' literally meaning 'negative impact of private tuition in the education system of Manipur', were unanimous that present day trend of students relying on private tuition in pursuit of their academic goal is having serious impact to the State's education system they conceded that addressing the issue will not be a challenging task but also time-consuming.
The discussion programme held with former Manipur College Principal Prof L sadananda as the moderator was attended by Herbert School Principal Prof Nabachandra Singh, former MEELAL president Naodalenkhomba and Board of Secondary Education Manipur Chairman (IPS) P Dhanakumar as the resource persons.
The programme held at Manipur Hindi Parishad was organised by Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).
Noting that there is still room for improvement in the State's education system, the resource persons observed that the concept of memorising lesson as the best method to achieve excellent marks in examination compel the students as well as the parents that private tuition is a necessity.
Opinions were also shared by the resource persons that frequent disturbances caused by bandh, strike and undesired incidents to the academic calendar along with excessive home assignment are some crucial factors that eventually necessitate private tuition.
Earlier, presenting the key note address DESAM vice president M Angamba describing the tuition culture as a social malaise and one of the greatest threat posed to the economy of Manipur, said that majority of the students taking private tuition belonging to the private schools needs serious introspection.
Stating that parental as well as institutional pressure are forcing students to undertake additional classes, he also opined that low salary in private schools consequently leading to the teachers deliberately delaying syllabus coverage to compel the students opt for private tuition is also a possibility.
Rather than asking the students to undertake private tuition school authorities should ensure that class teachers complete prescribed syllabus within the specified period, Angamba suggested.