Sadia Hanif highlights how the tuition culture has made students more dependent on tuitions than on schools – a trend that some teachers encourage in a bid to earn some 'extra' money

Gone are the days when taking tuitions was equivalent to seeking help for being a little weak in one's studies. Today, as the standard of education declines in most government and private schools, students have become increasingly dependent on tuition centres, with the result that this trend is now commonplace. For every student – irrespective of his aptitude – taking tuitions is essential if the student is to compete with other children.

A survey conducted by Kolachi reveals that students take private tuitions in almost all classes (from primary to secondary to intermediate) either to cover up for shortcomings of parents or teachers or both. Moreover, students tend to take their teachers at private tuitions more seriously than those at school.

"Teachers in government colleges cannot be blamed because the minimal attendance of students kills their motivation to teach and discourages them from taking classes," said Professor Syed Muhammad Ashraf, an Intermediate teacher at Army Public School. Students, on the other hand, complain of the teacher's unavailability in classrooms that keeps them from going to college regularly.

Prof. Ashraf told Kolachi that most teachers employed at colleges work as part-time teachers in coaching centres or as private tutors to earn extra money. Interestingly, he added, these teachers are not as responsive during their lectures at college nor do they attend to queries with interest. However, the same tutors give their undivided attention to students at tuition centres.

According to Sultan Qamar, Director of Sultan's Academy, a tuition centre, "Accountability at tuition centres is the reason behind a teacher's efficiency. This is absent in colleges. This proves that if the system is lenient and teachers not answerable to anyone, they are bound to take things easy. It is human nature."

But what then is the reason behind students of the Cambridge system taking private tuitions, ask many. Teachers at most schools affiliated with the Cambridge Board felt this is because "most of the time schools do not have the kind of subjects that teachers and students want," said Aarfa Raza, an A-level student of St Patrick's High School. She admitted taking tuitions to "get a decent grade".

Another student, Mosa Ahmed, from The City School added that while he does not take private tuitions, he can relate to what the other students have to say about this. "A lot of us rely on the school teachers, but quite often when a teacher leaves, the administration has trouble finding suitable replacements. This sometimes takes weeks and our studies suffer. Since most students studying in such schools have an affluent background, they don't mind paying at tuition centres as well to catch up," he explained. Although this does put enormous pressure on students, Ahmed said that because of rising competition among students, one is compelled to seek assistance from private tutors as well.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ashraf said that another reason children are sent to their school teachers later in the day for tuitions is that most parents are not comfortable sending their kids to new teachers, since the former understand their child's weaknesses better.

Kolachi also learnt that in the past, the government decided it would ensure that classes in colleges were held on time to discourage the trend of tuitions by teachers. However, no concrete steps were taken in this regard. This has resulted in the mushroom growth of coaching centres.

"Due to the parents' disinterest in their child's education, insincere teachers, poor attendance at colleges and the teachers desire to earn extra money in this age of inflation, we are preparing a generation that lacks vision," maintained Qamar.

When asked whether teachers or parents are responsible for encouraging this trend, Qamar said it would be wrong to blame just one of them. "Both parents and teachers are not doing their jobs right. Most parents are either too busy with their jobs and lives and some are not literate enough. As a result, students are sent to tuition centers where they are not encouraged to think, question or be creative. At the end of the day, the children suffer," he added disappointedly.

Most parents Kolachi spoke to felt that by sending their children to the best school in the city and providing them with the best tutor and along with other luxuries, they have done their job and expect them (children) to perform well. However, they are wrong as keeping a child busy all day can affect a child's psychological well-being, said observers.

"I do have many hobbies, but not the time to pursue them," claims Hira Humayun, a student of class 9 at the Karachi Grammar School. "My school and tuition routine on weekdays is quite tough so I don't find time to do anything else except study. Weekends are no different either."

A class 10 student of Hamdard Public School, Misbah Qamar, said her day is pretty much the same as well. She spends her entire day finishing homework from school and tuitions that leaves her with little or no time for recreational activities.

Critics argue that in this entire tuition business, teachers have forgotten their actual duty which is spreading knowledge. Instead, they warn students that if they do not take tuitions they may not be able to get good grades. "I am not saying that there are no teachers who are sincere to this profession, but a majority of them look at it as a business which is disappointing," said Qamar. In fact, people who cannot find jobs elsewhere end up teaching, another reason why they are not true to the profession.

Even more alarming is the fast-increasing trend of four-year-old children being sent to private tutors who then prepare them for admission tests in some of the top schools of the city, particularly the missionary schools.

Most of these tutors in the city belong to the Zoroastrian community. Arejoy Khajotia, a primary teacher at Mama Parsi School, is one such tutor. "If parents can teach their child at home, I don't think it is appropriate for them to send the child for tuitions at such a young age. Admission tests for top schools are not as tough that educated mothers cannot prepare their children for it. It's because I love my profession and children that I agree to give tuitions to someone that young," she said.

Khajotia added that some parents are not educated or do not understand English but aspire to send their children to top schools.

This is when the system comes in handy. However, she pointed out that "many educated mothers are housewives as well and can easily make time for their children. But they prefer not to, so that they can have a few hours for themselves. Plus, tuition is a fashion nowadays."

--Photos by Naqeeb-ur-Rehman

"Every day, countless students from different departments come to my shop to get photocopies of notes and lectures. It is my job to facilitate them in any way possible," Feroz Anwer, a photocopy shop owner at a private educational institute in the city told Kolachi.

With an increase in the number of students enrolling in universities and changing technologies, students today have found several short cuts to education and the hard work it entails – photocopying the same notes every semester being one of them. While this is convenient, it hinders their intellectual development.

Dr Shakil Faruqi, a professor of Genetics at the University of Karachi (KU) concurs. "Education is meant for broadening your horizons. At the university level, education should be more discussion and research-based, but unfortunately in our system, photocopied notes have proved to be a great obstacle in the process of learning," he said.

Not only this, but acquiring someone else's notes and making copies is plagiarism. However, Shahid, a photocopier at KU, is not aware of this fact; nor does he care. "I didn't know making copies of notes is an academic crime but it doesn't matter to me because when students ask for notes of a certain subject or get someone else's notes photocopied, they know that it is illegal and if they are not bothered then why should we be?" he added.

Prof. Faruqi feels this culture of photocopying notes is "not an attribute of the university. Notes are to help students remember things easily and if they're being copied so blatantly, then it is unfair to the student who worked hard and put them together in the first place."

Meanwhile, many undergraduate students told Kolachi that while a lot of them know it is unethical to copy someone else's notes, they are just looking to get a good grade. "For me all I want is all the notes and the subjects that will be covered in the paper so that I am prepared and get a good GPA," said Mohammad Osman, a student of BBA at a private university. "Notes don't affect my creativity or analytical skills but if I can find all the subjects covered in one semester in one set of notes, then why not get them? All we learn in universities is theory; everything else is learnt on the job," he added.

So who is to be blamed for this culture? Prof. Faruqi says that since "the cognitive level of exams is so poor that students who do research and those who memorise notes score the same marks." However, he thinks that teachers are to be blamed equally because they usually don't have the time (or are disinterested) to read updated books. "An average book gets outdated in four to five years and if you don't read new books how will you tell your students that they should do the same?" He maintained. As it is, he said, reading among young people is already on the decline. It is the responsibility of parents to inculcate reading habits in children so that when they grow up, they stop looking for short cuts.

Shagufta Farid, 49, housewife: "I wouldn't have as I am against sending children to tuitions, but for subjects like Mathematics at A' levels you need help so I permitted my child."

Faiza Pasha, 26, banker: "I just have a son right now and because I am busy with a 9 to 5 job, I prefer sending him to his class teacher for tuitions whom he is acquainted with and I can trust as well. I feel because a teacher knows her students' weaknesses, it's better if they work with them. There's no harm with that."

Farzana Qayyum, 29, housewife: "My children are actually quite naughty and never take me seriously which is why I feel they needed a private tutor to handle them. Plus, I barely get time from household chores to give them the kind of attention and assistance they need."

Safia Asif, 34, housewife:  "It's because schools frequently revise their syllabus and I feel my children need tutors who have studied the same course. Also, my husband is mostly out of the town because of his job so he can't be around to assist them with their homework."

Iraj Hasan, 37, teacher: "As a teacher I know I should be teaching my own children, but after a long day at school I don't have the energy to repeat the same exercise at home so I prefer sending them to tuitions instead."

"The manner in which Intermediate Examinations are progressing this year is worth appreciating," comments Professor Muhammad Ashraf of Army Public College, who is also an examiner, when questioned about students' dependency on solved papers (also known as 'keys') for the preparation of examinations.

Prof Ashraf was referring to the new Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) format in the Higher Secondary Education (HSC) Part – I examination that aims to discourage students dependence on past papers and solved notes without thoroughly studying their textbooks and understanding the curriculum. "A hard working student by no means depends on or looks out for shortcuts to achieve a better grade. They may use notes for quick reference if necessary but not depend on them."

Contrary to his belief, study notes remain popular among all students, and shopkeepers at Urdu Bazaar bear witness to this fact. Publishers from all across the city deliver their notes and solved papers for Matric and Intermediate examinations to this market, which is the hub of books in Karachi. "Adamjee, 'Nasir Iqbal', 'Practical Centre' and 'Universal' are few popular ones whose notes are sold like hot cakes during the assessment season," confides Salman Ghani, owner of a small shop in the bazaar. He goes on to add that this year the sale of notes has amplified as people flocked the market more than usual.

Students of various colleges in Gulshan-e-Iqbal cite a number of reasons for relying on 'readymade' notes than lectures at college. A student, Haris Siddiqui, believes that notes promise a good grade for those students whose vocabulary is weak or possess poor writing skills since solved papers are prepared by students who have been position holders.

Another student told Kolachi that it is a convenient way to pass an exam without having to study too hard. "Students who waste their time in other non-serious activities throughout the year tend to rely wholly on notes and strive to attain only 'passing marks' in each subject," points out Ejaz Hussain, an examiner and professor at Government Degree College Gulshan-e-Iqbal. The passing marks in each subject is 33.

"The examination pattern introduced this year for students of first year was necessary because it would help analyse a candidate meticulously as 20 per cent of the paper comprises MCQ's, 50 per cent short question and answers and the remaining 30 per cent is based on detailed questions. Students who have studied selected chapters would not be able to achieve good grades as they were able to under the previous pattern of examinations."

Moreover, the MCQ sheets are being taken by examiners in just 30 minutes that would discourage cheating among students by 60 per cent, he explains.

When questioned about the issue of 'grace marks' often awarded to students, Hussain was of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with the practice if 'two to three extra marks would prevent a student from repeating an entire academic year'. "These marks are generally given in one subject only, not in all. If the candidate has performed poorly in one subject that is affecting his/her overall grade, only then the examiner and deputy examiner consider re-checking his copy to prevent him from being declared a failed candidate."

This power, however, does not rely with individual examiners assessing copies at home as the cover sheet of the exam copy [which contains the name of the student and his/her college] is detached and they are issued a code number instead. All the copies are re-checked by another examiner as well, the professor told Kolachi. But whether or not this new objective pattern of the HSC examination would prove to be a success and bring about the much-needed reform in method of learning, only time will tell.

Book:

In the City by the Sea

Author:

Kamila Shamsie

Publisher:

Penguin

Price: Rs 595

The title of this very visual novel is self-explanatory. In the City by the Sea is a story of political turmoil and ethnic disturbances in Karachi, the city by the sea, and while it is common to find books containing similar themes, what sets Kamila Shamsie's novel apart is that it is told though the eyes of an 11-year-old boy.  

The young protagonist, Hassan, comes from a family where there is an amalgamation of people with different mental frameworks and professions. Hassan's father is a very liberal man who gives his family the space to develop their own personalities. His mother owns an art gallery and is an artist by profession, while his uncle, the most interesting character of all, heads a political party.

The hook of story, however, lies with Zehra, the girl next door, who Hasan falls in love with. Zehra, meanwhile, likes Hassan but sees him as a child. Hassan winds up feeling jealous of his cousin, believing Zehra likes him because he is more mature.

Shamsie has expertly explored the suppressions and depressions of the adolescent mind, especially the way Hassan is affected by political disturbances at such an early age. The most enjoyable part of the book, however, is the way the author has played with the narrative, constantly shifting from Hassan's fantasies to the harsh reality of his politically oppressed family, particularly his uncle. It is reminiscent of an episode 'The Imagination Land' from South Park, although while the cartoon is humorous, In the City by the Sea takes the issue very seriously, because Hassan can only truly enjoy himself in his imagination when he is in his own world with his artificial characters. 

Shamsie has mastered the craft of characterisation, because the way Hassan's character evolves is what drives forward this story of oppression and lawlessness, giving it a different touch. As well as this, like other new-wave writers in Pakistan, Shamsie has constructed a dialogue that is simple but laden with subtext with references to philosophy and religion. One good example in the book is the conversation on the phone between Farooq and his son, who is being detained by the government.  

Although the book appears to drag in places, it manages to move forward because the characterisation is so strong. Through her characters, Shamsie successfully discusses the political and ethnic clashes that have plagued the city of lights, or the city by the sea, during various military regimes. This tale of the 11-year-old living in the city by the sea has much to offer, and has the potential to be made into a very good film if directed and written for screen.

--Rafay Mahmood

Deep in the impoverished town of Islamkot in Tharparkar 355 kilometres away from Karachi lies the 100-year-old historic Saint Shree Neenuram Ashram, where hundreds of animals, children and jobless people find solace.  

Every day, birds flock to the holy place to get food, and hundreds of cows and buffaloes make their way here to have a drink of water from the many 'piyaos' in the Ashram, and get fodder free of cost along the way. This is a place where as many as 4,000 to 5,000 animals come to quench their thirst.

"The Thardeep Rural Development Programme has given us hand pumps," explains Kala Khushal, 71, shevadari (khidmatgaa) of the Ashram. "We have wells and a water supply system, and about 100 animals can take a drink at a time."

Khushal has been serving here as a shevadari since 1997, but worked at the Ashram as long ago as 1947 to 1959. Back then, he was a sweeper and used to give water to whoever wanted it. Later, he was a patwari in the district of Dadu, but after his retirement, he came back to serve Saint Shree Neenuram of his own free will. Children from the scheduled caste and adults who cannot afford to pay for food find comfort here too.

"Between 300 and 500 people are served lunch and dinner here every day free of cost," says Khushal. "Among the people who come here are those who migrate to barrage areas every day because of drought in Tharparkar. They eat here because they can't afford to get food from anywhere else."

But at this Ashram, nobody has to beg for food. Trucks loaded with rice and ghee pour in from across the province as a mark of respect to Saint Shree Neenuram, who established the Ashram more than 100 years ago. "It is the love people have for the saint that ensures we are never short of contributions," says Khushal. "Neen in Hindi means eyes, and Ram is our God, hence the name Neenuram." 

Inside the Ashram is a small temple boasting of a beautiful moorti, which was carved in Jeepur in India. But he Ashram is more than just a place of aesthetic wonder or a haven to feed people. Back in 1962, a school for girls was established at the Ashram, and with Hindi as a medium of instruction, the girls receive not just education, but also vocational training, particularly in sewing. More recently in 2005, it also established a charity hospital. 

Khushal is proud to say that the Ashram has never been affected by religious fanatics. "Tharparkar has a unique culture where Muslims and Hindus live in peace," he says. As far as he knows, there has never been a riot between either group of people. "It is not like Swat and the tribal areas where people are killing each other," he adds. 

Still, he has a word of caution. "Things are changing and nobody knows about the future. The 'mullah' has not learnt to forgive."