A letter to parents ...

ver the past couple of years several parents have seen teachers conducting tutoring sessions for students studying in the rigorous Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum. Several parents tend to have a liking for the tutor, as he/she gives them immense joy through first class marks scored by her students. However, the parents don’t know the other side of the tutor.

The ways of punishing their students show how he/she goes to every possible extent to make students learn the subject. For instance, one tutor sometimes orders students to sit on a dusty floor outside her house for not completing homework. The child remains helpless, as parents become friends with the tutor, unfortunately not knowing the other side.

The students tell their parents that the teacher is very strict, too short tempered and cannot sympathise with the feelings of the children, but nothing happens. Lengthy lectures are often sufficient to reduce a child to tears, often blowing the wind out of children. The tutor may be a fantastic teacher, but even better at marketing. It has been observed that once students enrol, the tutor tries to cement a relationship with the parents, transforming from teacher to counsellor.

Today, the tutor succeeds in pushing students to reach their A-game, but the ‘hunger for marks’ kind of approach can prove harmful. On the other hand, during these years, teachers are supposed to work and help students in a productive manner, not through beatings.

Parents, it’s up to you to decide whether you want your children to become independent and work to fulfil their potential, living life with positivity or whether you want them to get demoralised and depressed. The choice is all yours.