Coaching centers are dominating the dreams of children

Priyanka Saurabh *

India is witnessing a rapid growth in the number of coaching facilities. These centers help students prepare for school-level exams as well as JEE, NEET, and UPSC. However, the explosive growth of this industry is also raising several concerns. With a market value of around Rs 58,000 crore, India's thriving coaching sector now attracts crores of students from across the country.

To bridge the gap in traditional education, these private institutes provide specialized test preparation. However, there are concerns that their market-driven approach severely impacts the standards of formal education and places a heavy burden on students by increasing academic demands. The explosive growth of coaching centers has raised concerns about the formal education system in India and the welfare of students.

Coaching centers have diminished the influence of student well-being and formal education. Students prioritize coaching sessions over their academic studies, thereby reducing the role of schools in providing comprehensive education. For example, many students attend school only to meet attendance requirements and use tuition facilities only to prepare for competitive exams.

Students who compete hard by spending long hours at coaching centers experience stress, anxiety, and burnout. Reports of suicides of Kota students reflect the severe psychological damage caused by the coaching center environment. Coaching centers dominate academic focus and preparation strategies, causing students to lose interest in their education.

To attend coaching sessions, students in many CBSE schools skip regular classes during crucial academic years. High coaching costs further widen the gap in educational opportunities by preventing economically disadvantaged students from accessing high-quality preparation. Premium JEE preparation programs cost millions, separating those who can afford coaching from those who cannot.

The coaching industry has grown as a result of several factors. The need for coaching is driven by the emphasis on high-stakes entrance exams, such as the JEE and NEET. Due to the limited number of IIT seats, students enroll in coaching centers to increase their chances of getting selected. According to parents and students, coaching centers are essential for getting admission to prestigious universities.

Because they feel it will improve their performance in competitive exams, many parents spend large sums on coaching fees. The lack of advanced preparation for competitive exams in formal education often leaves a gap that coaching centers fill. State boards emphasize knowledge of state board and NCERT textbooks, while coaching centers provide specialized preparation for competitive exams.

The coaching culture is growing rapidly as a result of peer and parental pressure on students to join coaching centers. Entire families are moving to places like Kota and Hyderabad for coaching opportunities. Coaching centers lure students with rank-focused advertisements and success stories. In their advertisements, coaching centers showcase their best students, creating the impression that success is assured.

This has an impact on education in general. Students neglect their regular academic studies as a result of coaching centers' emphasis on competitive exam preparation over curriculum. During Classes 11 and 12, students often skip school to attend all-day JEE or NEET coaching sessions. The validity of formal education is diminished as students turn their attention to coaching centers, reducing teacher motivation.

Students only use coaching material, and schools in urban areas report low class participation. By encouraging rote learning to succeed in exams, coaching centers undermine the critical thinking and real-world application skills taught in schools. Entrance exam study guides often emphasize solving routine problems more than conceptual analysis.

Sports, arts, and extracurricular activities are affected as students spend too much time in coaching classes. Students often miss out on school-sponsored athletic events and cultural programs while preparing for engineering or medical exams.

Access to exam-focused resources is limited by high coaching costs, resulting in a dual system where only the poor can benefit from mainstream education. Government schoolchildren rely on meager educational resources, while wealthier students attend prestigious institutions.

To improve learning in schools, introduce coaching sessions and advanced learning modules in schools to reduce reliance on private coaching facilities. Encourage online resources that provide high-quality education at more affordable prices to reduce the gap between test-taking costs and income. All students can access free resources offered by platforms like Napatal and Diksha for competitive exams.

Prioritize competency-based assessments over knowledge-heavy exams to reduce the need for specialized coaching. The Common University Entrance Exam prioritizes aptitude and critical thinking over subject-matter knowledge. Spend money on teacher preparation programs to give school teachers the resources they need to provide advanced instruction and mentoring.

Enhancing the professional skills of teachers across the country is the goal of government programs like NISHTHA. Create guidelines that prioritize a well-rounded curriculum that combines academic, cultural, and athletic instruction with test-taking strategies for competitive exams. The National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 promotes interdisciplinary learning and reduces the stress associated with high-stakes examinations.

Dependence on coaching centers can be reduced by enhancing formal education through skill-based curriculum, personalized learning, and innovative teaching techniques. Strong laws, fair prices, high-quality education, and promoting student well-being will guarantee a fair, comprehensive learning environment.

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." The future is not in parallel educational systems but in closing the gaps.