Concerns over impact of private tuitions on education highlighted
A high-level symposium titled ‘Private Lessons in the Sultanate of Oman - Reality, Reasons and Proposals’ took place in Muscat on Wednesday, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing trend of private tuitions.
Organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MOHERI), in collaboration with A’sharqiyah University and the Ministry of Education, the event drew attention to the adverse effects of private lessons on students and the broader educational landscape.
The symposium, held under the patronage of H E Dr Mona bint Salem al Jardaniyah, Undersecretary for Vocational Training in MOHERI, showcased the collective efforts of more than five government and private entities. Representatives of Ministry of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, University of Hong Kong, and A’sharqiyah University, among others, participated.
Dr Khalsa al Bahri, an education researcher at the Ministry of Education, opened the symposium with a speech that likened private lessons to double-edged swords. “While these offer some benefits, they also pose significant challenges at both the national and individual levels, impacting the educational process and its outcomes," she said.
She further noted the symposium's objective to share research findings for the reasons, effects and potential solutions to mitigate the prevalence of private tutoring.
The symposium served as a platform for presenting comprehensive research outcomes derived from studies conducted in Oman. These studies, presented via nine detailed papers, explored the phenomenon of private lessons, delving into the reasons behind its rise and offering initial proposals for reducing its impact.
Approximately 100 educators, including teachers, supervisors, school administrators and academics, besides parents, engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing teaching methodologies and minimising dependence on private tuitions.
Officials highlighted the need of raising community awareness regarding the negative consequences of private tuitions. The symposium recommended the organisation of local and international workshops and training programmes aimed at enriching teachers' skills, thereby reducing the need for private lessons. It also proposed leveraging experiences of other countries to regulate the private tuition sector effectively.
The symposium marked a crucial step towards addressing the challenges posed by private tuitions, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts to improve the quality of education and ensure equitable access to learning opportunities for all students.
While private tuitions offer some benefits, they also pose significant challenges at both the national and individual levels, impacting the educational process and its outcomes
DR KHALSA AL BAHRI