Is private tuition a must?

Principal of St. Paul's, Milagiriya, Geetha Abegunawardane was interviewed by the `Sunday Observer' on the recent achievements of students, especially those who had obtained best results in the island in the last GCE (O/L) examination and obtained her views on private tuition, sought by a good majority of students.

She said she was not totally against children in the (O/L) and (A/L) classes going for private tuition, but said that should not be a must for them.

"Today almost all teachers are academically qualified with good teaching ability and, therefore I feel if students attend schools regularly and focus much attention to their educational activities, private tuition is not necessary at all for them," she said.

She further said that obtaining private tuition has become a new trend today and has also become a lucrative business for teachers.

"As we are aware, the majority who are not regular in attending schools go for tuition, and like to enjoy with friends but not to study,"she said. Some children go for it for their personal freedom. Unlike in schools, they are allowed to bring in their mobile phones, she pointed out.

Deputy Principal of a leading girls' school Mrs. Anula Dassanayake was also of the same opinion that if they attend schools regularly, they need not go for tuition.

"Anyway I personally oppose students in lower classes obtaining private tuition,"

She had also asked the education authorities to increase the time duration of subject periods, since 45 minutes per subject is not sufficient.

Deputy Principal of another girls school Mrs. Mangalika Gamage said private tuition for students in rural schools on the grounds that majority of schools lack qualified teachers is acceptable. "But when there are qualified teachers in Colombo schools, it is not at all unnecessary for students to seek private tuition," she said.

Takshila Rajapaksha a student of St. Paul's Girls School, Milagiriya confessed that during her time, she did attend tuition classes for Mathematics, Science, Commerce and English which helped her to obtain nine `A' passes at the last GCE (O/L) examination.

"I never forget the teachers in my school, who had also helped me a lot in our lessons, conducted additional classes, but then again I was compelled to acquire aim to higher by attending private classes," she said.

16-year-old Yasitha Kodagoda who is a student of a leading school in Colombo said she obtained ten `A' passes in the last GCE (O/L) examination and wished to continue with her higher studies in the Mathematics stream.

"I think I was able to get these results due to the sacrifice and devotion, made by me towards my daily lessons in school." She too, went for private tuition in Mathematics, Science, Commerce and English with the intention of acquiring an additional knowledge in order to face the future educational challenges.

Hasini Rathsara Weeratunga of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo who received highest islandwide marks at the GCE (O/L) examination last year said that devotion towards studies is the only weapon to achieve better results at any examination.

"I always focus my attention on my day-to-day educational activities in school rather than attending tuition classes," she said. She said she was not against anybody attending private tuition classes, but they must know that the knowledge given at private classes could also be obtained by attending schools regularly.

Pasindu Madusanka of Nalanda College, Colombo who got second highest marks islandwide in the last (O/L) was not against private tuition classes.

"I too went for private tuition for Mathematics and English, but I feel if anybody attending schools regularly and follow it up with their school work it is not necessary to obtain private tuition," he explained.

Sachil Atapattu of Royal College, Colombo who secured the third islandwide highest place at the GCE (O/L) examination last time commended the College staff for conducting extra classes for students every year.

"If students attend schools everyday and do their day-to-day work regularly, then private tuition is not a must for them,"he said.

He also advised students to devote much time on educational publications and to watch educationally important programs on TV.

A retired school mistress Malathi Godakumbura of Negombo said that she was against students, especially in Colombo, Gampaha, Galle, Kandy, Kurunegala and Ratnapura areas going for private tuition for GCE (O/L) examinations.

"Schools in big towns have academically qualified teachers and therefore students in such schools need not go for private tuition," she said. She however said that it was not wrong for children in rural schools attending private tuition.

A mother of two, Wathsala Kapuruge of Rajagiriya said that she had to send her only daughter to a private tuition class, since the class is conducted same tutor who teaches her in school.

"However I appeal to the educational authorities to ban Government teachers conducting private classes, as students are lured by these teachers to attend their private classes." she said.

A father of three school - going children Raja Wathugedara of Kandy blamed the majority of teachers of State schools for not doing a good service towards their students.

"This is why we are compelled to send them for private tuition," he said.

A bank employee and a mother of three, Chitrangani Rajakarunanayaka of Piliyandala said "My son is studying in a popular school in Colombo and according to him teachers do not turn up on several occasion and this is why I had to send two of my daughters for private tuition.

"However I earnestly appeal to the educational authorities to deploy a flying squad like in the SLCTB buses and rope in errant teachers as well as principals", she demanded.

A principal of a mixed school in the Sabaragamuwa Province Sirisumana Kotalawala asked teachers not to blame students for attending private tuition classes.

"As most schools are not giving them a better education like in private schools, let them obtain their education in private classes," he said.

School-teacher Kesara Wijegunawardana of Kadawatha said the time duration given for one subject is 45 minutes and this short period is not enough to explain subjects like Mathematics, Commerce, Accounting and Science.

"Therefore this duration must be extended to at least two hours, like in private classes.

Nimal Premaratna of Avissawella said that some academically qualified persons were not good teachers. "They lack teaching ability and that's why I send my two children to private tuition classes."

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