Due to various issues in the education system the number of students attending tuition classes has risen to 75%, according to a survey done by the Education Ministry.
As a result, a tuition mafia has emerged. Sri Lanka Mirror spoke to several parents of students who said that if proper teaching was carried out at schools, children would not need to attend tuition classes.
They allege that most of the teachers are on Face Book during classes and engaged in other activities neglecting the children’s education. The issue has been further aggravated by the fact that these teachers lack proper experience in teaching.
The parents also claim that the tuition fees has gone up to an unbearable level making it very difficult for parents to afford it.
In some instances, tuition classes conducted at homes for a limited number of students costs between 800 to 1200 rupees as entrance fees.
There are teachers who visit homes for individual classes for A/L students for which they charge around Rs. 2000 per hour.
According to the Education Ministry survey, parents of O/L students spend around Rs. 15,000 per month on tuition fees.
The most dangerous situation is that some of these tuition teachers do not even have experience teaching in a primary school.
The Education Ministry survey found that most parents are of the view that these arbitrary tuition classes should be regulated.
(mirror)