Private tuition has become an institution in itself. There is considerable abuse going on here, financial or otherwise. We have students taking tuition before going to school and afterwards as well. In some cases, seven times a week. And some do so even during the holidays, November and December included.

They are perhaps led to believe that in case they miss the chapters in certain subjects during the end-of-year holidays, they might encounter difficulties to catch up when they resume the following year. The result is that their time is absorbed in tuition.

Private tuition has its own plus points. No doubt about it. However, what is disturbing is that children are spending too much time away from the families. Children must spend as much time as possible with parents and parents must be there to listen to them.

It is for parents, and not just teachers, to emphasise that quality of work is far more important than quantity. But when the children reach home after 5 pm on most days and are out at week-ends busy with tuition, this dialogue is impossible. The children therefore grow up the way they can without parental control. Childhood and teenage years are extremely important in the development of personality. The kind of attention, love, concern, and affection we give them at this stage is a determining factor in the kind of adults they will be.

Investing time in children and teenagers is time well spent. One gets to know and understand them better. They, in turn, warm up to parents and open themselves up, looking for explanations, clarifications, assistance, advice and so on, which is indeed an essential ingredient in their informed education. Establishing a climate of trust in each other is vital. When there is a strong family bond, there is less chance for children to be submitted to peer pressure...

Suresh RAMPHUL</B>