Nuzhat Bashir
The biggest tragedy that can befall on a nation is when its educational system goes lifeless, when schools fail to produce good humans, citizens and more importantly good intellectuals and when teachers turn away from their responsibilities, leaving students with no other option than opting for coaching classes. The present scenario of education system has left no other option for parents, but to pay hefty amount to the teachers of these coaching centres. Another reason for the rise in coaching centres in Kashmir is the disturbance due to curfews and shutdowns.
Getting into the ground zero of this story we interacted with many students and locals in order to share their views regarding the ongoing trend of private coaching in Kashmir. During our interaction, Sehrish, a student from Mallinson School said, “We are compelled to join coaching classes because school faculty fails to give their 100% effort. Dedication among teachers is missing that is why we prefer to join coaching classes”.
“Few years back, I too was against the concept of private coaching. I believed it was wastage of money and time. But my perception changed because of the educational system in our valley”, said Ifra, another student.
“New generation believes in competition whether in studies, art, creativity or fashion. Everybody wants to lead. Its human nature to search for the best. That is what we students do by opting for coaching classes”, she adds.
Coaching classes groom students, but at the same time students get less time for self-studies. Private classes prepare students for exam and entrances only while as moral, physical, emotional and social values are inculcated in schools. Education is a three tier system in which parents, teachers and students play equal role. Parents should ensure regularity of their children in schools. Parent/teacher meet should be made compulsory in government schools, like there in private ones. Authorities alone cannot be blamed for the loophole of education system in Kashmir. There are black sheep in every corner, but such teachers should be made accountable for their work. They not only decay the career of students, but fill their own pockets unprofessionally by practicing private tuitions. Some even suggest students to go for private tuitions because they fail to deliver their best in schools. On the other side there are some teachers who work hard on students by conducting extra classes.
“Some people in Kashmir say private classes in Kashmir are trend and business, but the reality is that we formulate students not only for school exams but also for entrances. We clear their doubts.”, said Abdul Khaliq, Mathematics teacher.
“No doubt school plays significant role in every student’s life, but contemporary generation is curious to learn and know more. I don’t find it wrong if private classes mollify them.” he adds.
Parents feel betrayed by school authorities when the performance of their children goes from bad to worst. They are bound to spend extra money to provide quality education to their wards. Besides, parents are worried about the eve teasing incidents in and around these centres. Parents don’t feel it safe to send their children especially female students alone to the coaching centres. They have to manage time to accompany their daughters to reach coaching centres.
“Every parent desires to bring up their children in better way and can’t take risks when it comes to the studies of their children. Coaching classes have so far proved effective in the growth of our children, but there are some ill effects too like the mixing of male and female students”, said Mohammad Ali, parent.
As per 2011 census, the literacy rate in Kashmir has increased from 58% to 68%. No doubt private classes in Kashmir have proven worthy in excelling the students and improving the percentage of the weaker ones. But at the same time they are giving more space to the education department to go into dark chamber by exchanging the responsibility of polishing students.