Pathetic pay of private school teachers : Growing culture of private tuitions
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 03 2015 -

Not the first time that The Sangai Express is commenting on this and it would not be the last either.

Nothing to show that situation will improve but it is more than appropriate that some thoughts are given to the pathetic pay package of private school teachers.

Given the fact that most parents prefer to send their children to private schools, it is more than likely that most of the schools are well placed to pay their teachers more adequately.

The issue has already been discussed on the floor of the Assam Assembly but there is nothing to suggest that Manipur will follow suit.

All the more reason to raise the issue vociferously so that it reaches the ears and eyes of the policy framers of the land.

For decades, it is the private school teachers who have been shaping and moulding the young minds. Something best exemplified whenever results of the Class X and Class XII board examinations are announced.

Not surprising that almost all those in positions of power and responsibility have deemed it better to send their children to private schools.

Even Government school teachers prefer to admit their children in private schools rather ‘risk’ sending them to Government schools.

Says something profound about how pathetically Government schools have been performing all these years.

Choice is private schools, and it is a shame that despite this ground reality, most of the private school teachers continue to be paid a pittance.

The price for such a situation is being paid by all.

With such a poor pay structure it is therefore not surprising to see teachers more interested in taking tuition classes, for a fee which at times can be astronomical.

In their quest to ensure that their children do not lag behind others, parents have to walk the extra mile to cough up the tuition fees.

This is all that more so when the kids are preparing for their Class X and Class XII board examinations.

It is not without reason why there is the popular perception that if a parent has two kids then they have to spend eight years dropping and picking them up for tuition classes.

This is four years for each kid. And the hours may increase with each subject.

Not a comforting thought at all but this is something which has been in vogue all these years.

Beats logic why no questions have been raised over such a culture, especially in a place like Manipur where people can take to the streets on even the most trivial of issues.

Private tuition classes should ideally be for students who may need extra help, but what is happening here is a telling example that nothing much has been taught to the students in the school.

This is where parents and elders need to come together and question why tuitions have become so important for the young students.

Teachers giving private tuitions may be acceptable, but when this becomes a widespread practise, as it is now, then there is something definitely wrong, somewhere.

Apart from parents going on a mindless pursuit after more and more marks, another prominent reason is the low pay given to the school teachers, particularly private school teachers.

With such a meagre income it is but natural for some of them to turn their attention to giving private tuitions. Time for all concerned to give some thought to this.