Why prioritise school over coaching
Have tuitions become a necessary evil in our academic world? Do these centres deliver on what they promise? Why do students seek private coaching? Youngsters seem to forego co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in order to attend tuition classes. Burgeoning private coaching industry, a beacon for millions of students vying for a seat in prestigious educational institutions, has increasingly come under scrutiny for its darker facets. The recent guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, aim at curtailing the enrollment of students below 16 years and curbing misleading promises, spotlight the urgent need for reform in a sector that has transformed from a supplemental education service into a vital cog in the academic machine.
These measures, while necessary, scratch only the surface of a deep-rooted systemic issue. The intense competition and the high stakes associated with entrance exams have escalated to a level where they compromise the mental health and well-being of children. The proliferation of coaching centers is a symptom of an examination oriented culture that prioritizes rote learning over conceptual clarity and holistic learning. Suicides throw spot light on grueling culture of cramming for entrance exams and great burden placed on students.
While I was compiling this write up, another tragic incident of self harming took place in Kota Rajasthan, the coaching capital of India and now referred as suicide city of India. Kota has been under the spotlight due to a disturbing pattern of suicides among students, especially those preparing for NEET and IIT-JEE exams. This time a budding 18 year old NEET aspirant from Anantnag took such a harsh step to end her life as she was unable to cope up with the level of stress and unjust expectations.
The point here; is what compelled her to undertake such a drastic step? Was there no one to do emotional hand-holding? Are these coaching institutes just believing in content overdosing and least prioritizing mental, emotional and social wellbeing of the child. Academic pressure, isolation, and lack of emotional support continue to pose grave challenges. This is not an isolated case and scores of aspirants have committed suicides in the past as well. This is the 15th incident this year and second this month alone. Even Supreme Court questioned the Rajasthan government what concrete steps have been taken in response to 15 student suicides reported in 2025 alone. The apex court remarked that the issue must be taken “seriously and not lightly, urging immediate intervention”.
What is at the core of it?
The formal schooling system is increasingly paving way for coaching institutions to take centre stage and thereby struggling hard to remain relevant and firmly rooted in the eyes of 21st century modern day learner. Although coaching institutions enroll students from all shades, but the students from senior secondary section (11th and 12th) are found to be in bulk as they prefer to attend coaching institutions rather than attending regular schooling. This certainly is casting a shadow on the functioning and performance of both public and private schools operating across Jammu and Kashmir.
Why I have cited private schools here: because these institutions too keep students on rolls, however, in reality the students are attending coaching institutions. It serves them two benefits: one, they get monthly tuition fee from parents of enrolled students and second, the students bring them name and fame by fetching meritorious positions. In return the student, being an indispensable partner of this symbiotic relationship too gets its due share: More than 80% attendance without even attending school for a single day. What is the point of raising it here: both are equally benefitted. what is actually wrong in this? It is actually a catastrophe in offing. The school is not only a place where black and white information is transmitted, it is the place where human lives are transformed. Where grit, resilience, compassion, empathy and more significantly humanistic emotions are nurtured for meaningful contribution in the society. Is this all being offered in a coaching institution? We need to ponder over this. What is being offered in a coaching institution for sure is the academic content and cramming and rote learning or hard memorization. Will all this suffice to transform the life of the student in 21st century? What about the acquisition of 21st century skills: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Communication. The skill of rote learning is now considered as redundant and obsolete.
Schools as centers of holistic development. The ultimate aim of formal schooling system is to transform the life of child by ensuring acquisition of life defining skills. Schools are places where students engage in scholastic and non-scholastic spheres. School provides the platform to unfold the inherent capabilities hidden among children. Right from morning assembly to actively participating in debates and drawing competitions, these are effective strategies to meaningfully engage students and will go a long way in developing student’s personality. Schools need to re-imagine the way they approach education if our students are to grow into effective leaders. Instilling a sense of agency and purpose in youth who will not only aim to shape their future but also contribute to community and nation’s economic progress needs to start early . There is where schooling plays a vital role.
There are innumerable success stories of students who have done exceedingly well in the academic domain while regularly attending school and that too in medical stream. Recently a girl student from a far off habitation of Nagbal Salia Anantnag made it to headlines by securing 97% in class 11th result in science stream without attending coaching classes, either online or offline. She has given the entire credit of her performance to the evolving school atmosphere of HSS Salia. Like her. other successful stories of academic excellence have also emerged where students have excelled by saying no to tuition. Schools besides being effective academic centers, play a vital role in shaping the life of the child.
Dr. Mushtaq Rather, Educator from Mattan, Jammu and Kashmir
