Teachers and tuitions

13 September 2006

Tuition Industry, a national menace

I refer to your letter “Basics at school, the rest at tuition” (NST Sep.11).

It was a shocking admission by teachers themselves that they do not give their best in school but rather reserve that for tuition classes after school hours. It is distressing to realize the way these teachers are openly soliciting students for their tuition classes, and the number of such teachers is on the rise.

The tuition industry is the latest menace facing our country. Millions of ringgit are being spent by Malaysians on tuition every year. Who are we to blame for this situation, the teachers, students, parents or the government?. Yes, all these groups have contributed to some extent to the present situation by encouraging the “A” syndrome that has become our national aspiration and culture.

The one sure loser in this tuition industry aimed at achieving straight A’s are definitely the students. The most important precious formative years in their lives as youths is wasted in tuition centers. Sports, moral education and other extra-curricular activities are neglected which has contributed to the declining standard of sports and increase in crime and other social problems.

Our current problems are largely due to the very materialistic and consumerist attitude of our society. Cost of education, health care and housing have become beyond the means of an average wage earner especially in urban areas. Imagine the difficulty in supporting a family of five with an income of RM2,000 a month. The majority earn much less that amount. In order to make ends meet one has to take additional jobs. Under such a situation can you blame a teacher, even the most dedicated one, for resorting to tuition for some extra income?

At the other extreme there are those in their quest for wealth and more wealth, have forgotten or neglected their responsibilities to their students and the nation as a whole. They have lost sight of the ethics of their profession and the plight of weaker students from the lower income group who are the ones who really need such help and guidance.

To overcome this problem of tuition abuse by teachers will not be easy. Due to the high cost of living especially in the urban areas, teachers may be allowed to moonlight but this must be regulated and their enureration subjected to income tax. Their performance in school must be closely monitored to ensure that they do not neglect their normal duty. Parent teacher associations may be roped in to help in this surveillance.

Instilling dedication in teachers must be accompanied by genuine attempts to provide basic amenities at an affordable cost. Quality education, health and housing must be made affordable to teachers in particular and the people in general. Efforts to discourage the flawed “A” syndrome and emphasis on a wholesome education must be made a top priority.

If we are unable to check these abuses in our education system, it would be a mere waste of everybody’s time sending our children to schools from 7am till as long as 4.30pm everyday. It may be better to do away with the school system and send our children just for tuitions. At least then they will have more time for other recreational and family activities.

Dr.Chris Anthony