The desire to score well has resulted in more and more schoolchildren going for private tuitions, which is now a nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore industry.
A survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has revealed that a whopping 87 per cent of primary school and 95 per cent of high school students in metros receive private tutoring. This is an industry that grew by 35 per cent in the last six years, ASSOCHAM stated in a publication, “Business of Private Coaching Centres in India”.
“A majority of the middle-class parents have been spending one third of their monthly income on private tuitions for their wards to do better in their examinations and prepare them for competitive entrance exams for professional courses,” the survey stated.
“The current size of the private coaching industry in India is about $23.7 billion (Rs 1,41,416.33 crore) and is likely to touch $40 billion (Rs 2,38,677.36 crore) by 2015,” the survey added.
According to the survey, many teachers of reputed schools and colleges have left their jobs to take up private coaching, for the reason that the monthly income of tutors is equal to the annual salaries of schoolteachers. Private tutors charge Rs 1,000 to Rs 4,000 per hour per student on a one-to-one basis, while group tuition costs Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,000 per month, it said.
The survey took responses from 5,000 students and parents between March and May across 10 cities — Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh.
In the last six years (2006-2013), the number of primary school children taking private tuitions increased by 100 per cent, while the number of high schools students enrolling in tuitions increased by 92 per cent.
Over 86 per cent of parents said that they have to rely on tuitions due to lack of time or because they are ill-equipped to teach their children. Nearly 85 per cent of working parents said that sometimes they have to spend a whole day away from home, making it difficult for them to pay due attention to their children.
Catherine Pradeep (name changed), a homemaker whose daughter is studying science in Std XI, said: “She aspires to become a doctor and there are many entrance tests. We have consciously enrolled her in one of the top coaching centres to train her for the tests, which are quite challenging. It is only in Std XI and XII that a student can equip oneself to face the tough competitive exams, and coaching centres offer the best assistance.”