Coaching centers have sprung up in every nook and corner. A society where competition is more or less a cultural phenomenon, it is an ambition of every student to be the best dish in the oven.
RAPID RISE OF COACHING CENTRES: A BOON OR A CURSE
A seed could grow into a strong and healthy tree when given fertile land, proper water and other essentials. Every child is a seed ready to grow and stand but if necessary items are not given to them there is very less chances that a tree may develop.
In today’s competitive world, no one misses the chance to do every possible thing to achieve big. With many aspirants competing every year to crack the big entrance exams, it becomes necessary to stand out. Students join the best possible coaching institutes in order to bridge the gap between classroom learning and preparation for coveted exams. As a result of existing demand, coaching institutions have been at an exponentially increasing rate. Coaching institutions as an industry are witnessing massive expansion. Today it is important to understand how this coaching institution has become so vast.
Coaching classes started as an industry not long ago, and by 2019, there are uncountable coaching centers across the state for IIT-JEE, AIEEE, DCE, BITS, Medical entrance, Civil Services exams and so on. It has become a common choice for students
These days, joining a coaching institute as the teachers or mentors at their school/college doesn’t make them prepare for competitive examinations like JEE, CEE, Banking, SSC, UPSC, and APSC etc. Students studying in 10th, 11th and 12th standards are also taking coaching classes. This is due to the number of limited seats in higher technical and medical institutions, the lack of proper teaching to inculcate skill sets that tackle the applied section of the sciences and math and the demand for minimum cut-offs at the high 90 percent and above range. Every student can’t get such marks, thus there is need for extra coaching in all subjects to compete with other students and to run the race for a livelihood. Students believe they get better individual attention as compared to classroom teaching, so they opt for coaching classes.
No doubt, coaching institutes help the students to move consistently in the right direction. With a huge syllabus and limited time period, such institutes help in establishing a consistent routine so that the desired amount of tasks are achieved at the stipulated time. It is to be noted that every individual is equipped with a different set of abilities. Recognizing and a proper planning around it is what an institute does. The institute further includes experienced faculty members for such roles to be carried out and it is seen to be an encouraging venture, benefitting both the parties, thereby providing each student with a different strategic plan which works best for them. A good institute can not only help the students on the academic front but can act as a booster for self-confidence (personality development) which is a prerequisite of any counseling stage. Discussing the problems and complexities that a student may be facing and finding a clarification for the same is an essential part of preparation. Students should not only focus on becoming toppers, rankers, and participate in the rat race but also understand the topics because mere studying will never give a clear picture of how strong the preparation is going. One needs constant evolutions in the form of test series or mock interviews to analyze if the path they are on is leading somewhere or not.
Despite the massive growth, the coaching industry is often criticized because they are more about doing business than imparting genuine knowledge and education. Lots of coaching institutions are available which has become a trend, as it is an easy way to increase further business. Also most coaching centers are profit making rackets that prey on the students’ insecurity and parents’ apprehensiveness, they create an environment of inadequacy and urgency and coerces them to spend exorbitant amounts to prepare the students. Coaching’s were meant for enrichment of young minds but they have become a major earning source. It is therefore important that coaching institutes create a structured system keeping in mind the students’ mental health and socio economic backgrounds. We cannot blame the coaching institutes for this state of affairs, so it is better that the individual have proper knowledge in selecting an institute which will help them in achieving their goals.
The utility of coaching and their success rate are debatable but it is beyond any doubt that upgrading the curriculum of the higher secondary level and increasing the number of seats in the technical and medical institutions will be a great step to accommodate more students and lessen the demand for coaching centers. Coaching centers can fill in the gaps that most
Teachers and schools miss out on but their excessive presence everywhere indicates a much bigger problem of shortage and quality that needs addressing. The learning process should incorporate both the theoretical aspect and the applied process to make learning more comprehensive and fulfilling. Unless the education system in schools and colleges changes or improves, the coaching industry will only grow.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Aienla A, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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