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Repercussions of Tuition Culture in Pakistan

GC University Lahore

The word tuition is described in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English as instruction or teaching, especially of people in small groups. The term, however, alludes to aspects that are beyond just academic activity of instruction or teaching. In Pakistan, tuition has emerged as an influential institution. In a short period of time it has become an integral part of our educational, social, cultural and economic system. One can discuss the merits and demerits of tuition culture but its popularity is growing fast and even the increasing number of schools is unable to hamper this speed (Siddiqui 99). The aim of the research paper is to identify the latent effects on the educational future of Pakistan.

In Pakistan the tuition culture has gradually strengthened over the last two decades. In the past, tuition was very rare and those who would go for it were considered to be less smart and tuition itself was not viewed as a socially desirable activity. According to the survey I conducted, 66.6% of the people believe that the idea of tuition itself is not bad in essence, but what is disturbing is the scale on which tuition culture has spread. In fact it has almost replaced and outdone classroom teaching in formal schools and colleges. The second worrying aspect is what is actually happening in the name of tuition and the third aspect is the negative impact it is creating in social scenarios (Tuition Culture Makes Students Dull).

2 In the past, tuition was given by independent individuals but nowadays there are academies which act like parallel educational institutions. One can see these academies sprawling all over the country. Teachers of different subjects are hired and regular classes are held in these academies. According to survey, 50% people believe that a major direction in spread is the fact that academies claim to prepare students for entry tests of medical and engineering colleges. This is the latest phenomenon in the domain of tuition. There are many reasons for the apparent popularity of these academies. One major reason is that they help the students pass the examination with an examination geared approach. In the whole process the students are asked to practice certain sure shot questions again and again and they are automatized. Another reason is the prevailing situation in a number of our public educational institutions where on one hand there is a problem of teacher absenteeism, and on the other hand the quality of teaching- learning process is questionable. There is lack of proper monitoring system in such schools/ colleges and a number of teachers get away without carrying out their responsibilities in a satisfactory manner. This situation leads the students to tuition academies to make up for the gaps left in regular classes. A third reason, supported by 70% people, is that some of the teachers who work in regular educational institutions persuade their students to come to them for tuition. The persuasion, at times, takes the form of coercion (Siddiqui 101). The students, who attend the tuition sessions of teachers, get some extra advantages in the regular classrooms. The fourth reason is very lengthy syllabi and based on them boring textbooks. According to a personalized interview with a private schools principal, tuitions are blemishing the educational framework of the country. This system encourages cramming of the materials. Besides the fact, 63.3% of the people believe that tuition academies are very effective at equipping the students, in short time with the tricks of trade (The Tuition Culture). The parents' education level or the time they can give to their children also contributes to the demand for tuitions.

Repercussion can be judged in various capacities. First, let us look at the academic aspect. The tuition culture cripples students self confidence and thinking abilities and they become dependent on academies (Gann 45). In the academies the whole approach to learning and teaching is based on the behaviorist model where learning is just like habit formation, and repetition is a key to success. Students are discouraged to think independently and critically. This non-thinking and imitation culture impacts in a negative manner and this attitude remains with

3 these students even later in their professional lives. The role of formal educational institutions and their regular teachers is minimized and in some cases this role has become redundant.

There is also a direct and indirect social implication of the tuition culture. Quite contrary to the past when it was not a socially desirable practice, now it has become a symbol of social status. It is considered prestigious if children have the facility of tuition. The high fees of tuition make it really difficult for the middle class and lower middle class parents to afford the tuition.

Can we turn our face away from this very strong phenomenon called tuition? Can we just condemn it and be dissatisfied? The realistic approach would be to see how we can strengthen our regular educational institutions and our examination systems. There is a need for effective teacher education, onward monitoring and an assessment system which is not solely memory based. On the whole, there is a need to develop more professional attitude in our regular institutions. Unless we do that, private tuition academies will keep on thriving. Their rapid increase is a sad commentary on the quality of education in our regular schools and our assessment system (The Tuition Culture).

References
Arshad, A. Tuition Culture Makes Students Dull. The News. 23 November, 2007, Lahore Edition: C2. Gann, N. Targets for Tomorrows Schools. London: Falmer Press, 1999. Gul, M. Repercussions of Tuition Culture in Pakistan. Questionnaire. Lahore: GC University, 2011. Hassan, Maimona. Personal Interview. 1 July 2011. Patel, B.I. The tuition culture. Dawn Newspaper. 2 March, 2008, Lahore Edition: B4. Siddiqui, S. Rethinking Education in Pakistan. Karachi: Paramount Publishing Enterprise, 2010.