Studying in coaching classes or self-study? What is better?

Every parent and student has faced this situation of deciding whether or not to study in tuition. Most of the times, it’s the parents’ decision to join their kids in tuition/coaching class after school. This is at least the situation in India. Let’s face it, the number of students and parents who believe in self-study is in a decreasing trend. The exponentially increasing number of students coaching classes proves this point.

There are many types of tuition. Some offer extra coaching of academic subjects for Primary, Secondary and Higher Secondary students. Some institutes offer tuition for specific subjects like Science, Commerce, Accountancy, etc. These classes are taken only for higher secondary school students. Some other institutes offer coaching for entrance examinations like JEE and competitive exams like CAT, GMAT, XAT, etc.

There is a growing trend of primary school kids joining tuition classes. Is it really necessary for extra tuition classes for a Primary School student? When can a student join tuition classes? A brief comparison between tuition and self-study is given below

Advantages of self-study

1. Children do not depend on external help. They tend to handle their queries by referring to books, seeking help from parents and school teachers.
2. They don’t experience the peer pressure and are relaxed. They get time to live their childhood.
3. Their reasoning, analytical skills and social skills are good.
4. They get time to spend with their parents, friends and extended family, thereby equipping them to be part of a healthy society.

Limitations of going to coaching classes

1. Physical exhaustion: Students spend about half their day in school. They become tired while coming back home. They don’t get time to take rest as they have to rush to their tuition classes. They come back late in the evening with no energy left. They only have time to have their dinner and go to bed (that too after completing their homework!!). This is common among the tuition going students.
2. Extra Fees: Lower middle class, middle class and people above poverty line struggle to pay school fees. It becomes almost impossible for them to join their kids in tuition where the fee is expensive and charged on hourly basis. Still, parents send their kids to tuition classes so they can be competitive among their peers in school.
3. Unwanted pressure on students: Parents push their kids to tuition thinking that it is the only way to become topper of the class. They don’t realize that only one kid can become a topper. This brings unwanted peer pressure on the kids.
4. Students lose their childhood: In the chase of marks and grades, children lose their precious childhood days. They lose out on playing with other children, fun, and creativity. Most importantly, they spend very less time with their parents. What is the point in foregoing all of these which are important in shaping up the students’ personality?

So, does this mean self-study is better than studying in tuition classes? Not in all cases. Taking help from extra tuition classes must depend on the need of the student. There are some students who need that individual attention which a school teacher cannot dedicate during school hours. In that case, the student can take help from coaching classes where a student to teacher ratio is less. Some students need extra coaching in a particular subject (like Math, Science). In some cases, students might need help in preparing for entrance examinations and competitive examinations.

It is unnecessary for primary kids to join tuition classes. That can be avoided. It is enough if the parents coach the kids and keep track of their studies. We are not against tuition classes, but, we only emphasize that parents must join their children in tuition only if there is a need and not due to peer pressure.

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