For children, summer is synonymous with adventures, excitement and …vacations. Soaring temperatures notwithstanding, it usually marks the end of exams and the beginning of a long holiday. But, not for everyone.
For some students, the end of one school year marks the beginning of another. While their school’s academic calendar says ‘holidays’, this is not necessarily true of their coaching classes. And this holds true not just for those stepping into the ‘crucial’ class 10 or 12. Children in class 4 are also being sent to coaching classes during the summer holidays to prepare for the next academic year.
Children, who attend these additional classes for at least an hour or two, three days a week, are mostly from families where both parents are working, say people who run these coaching classes.
Uma V.S., founder of a coaching centre in Banashankari, says she has even those in LKG and UKG trooping in. “We hold classes for those children who are not able to perform well in academics because they have a problem with the basics. Most children come in for maths and English. When parents or teachers see their marks, they simply insist on more practice; very few of them see what is wrong,” she said, explaining the reason why young children are opting for additional classes.
But why during the summer vacation?Parents, who send their children to coaching classes, say they want them to utilise their time more ‘effectively’ during the holidays. Those running coaching centres, on the other hand, say children who opt for these summer classes are trained to face the upcoming academic year “with confidence”.
Among children in the lower classes, it is mostly those who have difficulty coping with grammar and comprehending subjects such as social science, a teacher in a coaching institute said. Students who will be learning a new language, such as Hindi or Kannada, from the coming academic year form another large group.
“We do try turning children away during summer so that they can do other things. But around five to 10 per cent of the students do need the preparation as they will not be able to do it once classes begin in June,” the teacher added.
Experts suggest that while keeping children occupied during the summer break is important, the constant emphasis on academics can be counter-productive. Instead, parents should encourage them to explore new hobbies, learn a new musical instrument, and encourage other such activities during the holidays.
‘Ideal to take a break from academics’C.R. Chandrashekhar, founder-trustee, Samadhana Counselling Centre and former professor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, says, “It is ideal to stop academic activities for some time and pursue hobbies. Now, because of parents’ greed and the competition, children are being pushed into taking classes during summer as well. This causes unnecessary tension. Children cannot enjoy their holidays and this is not good for a growing child. Coaching centres want to create a need and reap the harvest. Parents should spend time with their children or put them into non-academic activities.”
Manila Carvalho, Principal, Delhi Public School, Bangalore East, says, “Both parents being busy could be a reason for sending children to such coaching centres during summer and not because children can't grasp lessons during the academic year. When children are forced to do this, there is not much learning because the lessons are being imposed on them. Coaching centres are just like classrooms, as there is no one-to-one interaction. It is better to develop their hobbies during holidays and allow children to do what they like the most.”
State to regulate tutorialsPrivate tutorials have mushroomed all across the city, holding classes according to their convenience and charging students indiscriminately, and they seem to be answerable to none.
The Karnataka Tutorial Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Rules, 2001, under the Karnataka Education Act, 1982, does provide for basic rules for private tutorials, including mandatory registration. However, implementation of the rules has been anything but strict, something that even the Department of Primary and Secondary Education admits.
Ajay Seth, Principal Secretary, Primary and Secondary Education said even the first step — registration — is not being done regularly.
“There are various kinds of tuitions. Sometimes, there are teachers going to the students’ homes, and vice-versa. But there are formal coaching centres that can be regulated and the Education Act provides for it,” he admitted.
However, the Education Department is promising some form of regulation. “Right now, we are concentrating on exams. But in the coming months, registration and regulation will be done for them,” Mr. Seth said.
Rules for registration *Should have suitable building
One room for each class, course or section
Each student shall have 5 to 7 sq. ft space
No. of students in each class, course or section shall not exceed 30
Each classroom shall have sufficient number of long benches of dual desks
One table and chair for the teacher
Each classroom shall have one blackboard
Sufficient sanitary facilities
Proper ventilation
Safe drinking water
Separate toilets for boys, girls and staff
Not to employ staff of government or an aided institution
