Consider why pupils opt for extra lessons

EDITOR — It is good that Government has once again warned teachers that it is illegal to offer extra lessons to pupils for a fee, but it seems it is going to take longer than anticipated to switch to the “education of the 21st century”.

Inasmuch as we might ban extra lessons, we need to look at the reasons why our children are opting for extra lessons.

Sometimes a parent may decide their child needs extra lessons outside normal teaching hours or even on holiday because of the performance of their child, so should the teacher then give free service?

I think Government should find ways to assess teaching during normal working hours. If it meets the required standards, then the teacher is doing a good job.

Any other arrangements for extra lessons between two or three adults, a teacher and parents should not invite Government interference.

Some children require more than a usual dose of teaching. That’s why not all of them will achieve first class position. The teacher’s obligation is to meet a certain standard in the classroom.

Moreover, the reason why these teachers are going for these extra lessons is that they are not satisfied with their remuneration because if they were motivated, they would have been effectively teaching their pupils.

There is need for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to examine how teachers are operating before banning extra lessons because this is not going to end at the blink of an eye.

For the education of the 21st century to be fully embraced, there’s need to make sure that all pillars of the education sector are functioning normally. George Mhuru, Harare.