I used to think ‘tuitions’ were taken only by kids who were a bit soft in the head.
That’s how it was, when I was growing up.
We gave our board exams, with self-study. Though we did refer to ’21 sets’.
The teachers at school covered the portion well enough. And a few went well beyond the call of duty in doing so.
At least, this is how I remember it. But then, I was the class nerd.
When my daughter was in kindergarten, I first heard of kids taking ‘tuitions’. Yes, tuitions for kindergarten.
Actually, there were kids taking tuitions to get into kindergarten as well (a certain school in south Bombay, which I shall not name).
The world had obviously changed.
For better, or worse?
The ironic thing was, the syllabus seemed to be much simpler (I refer to CBSE pattern). What’s more, my daughter’s school had no ‘exams’ upto class 6. Only weekly tests.
Phir bhi kids were taking tuitions.
Phir bhi I thought we would buck the trend.
“We’re an educated family, after all”.
There’s a PhD in Physics ready to teach Maths and Science.
A Double MA for Hindi and Sanskrit.
And two MBAs to cover everything else.
But what does she do instead? Join tuitions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These days, she is ready at five minutes to five pm, to go for her class. This, is nothing short of a miracle.
She likes to go to tuitions. Even though sir makes her study. So, what’s the secret?
‘Tyushan’ is another form of outing. And, it’s parent-approved.
I wouldn’t let her – at age 12 – hang out in a mall with friends (without supervision). But I do let her go to tuitions with friends, and sometimes they stop by at McDonalds and share an ice-cream.
And hey, no matter how educated your parents and grandparents might be, it’s no fun studying with them. They are short-tempered, and often distracted by Blackberries and iPhones (I plead guilty to the second count).
There is another exciting side-effect of joining tuition classes.
“I think you will have to buy me a mobile now,” she said, with a glint in her eye.
Something I have resisted… so far.
The economy may falter, exchange rate may alter, but one thing’s for sure. Tuition zindabad rahega, employment aabaad rahega. Jai Hind!
