subject: The Negative Side Of Paying Private Tuition [print this page] Increased competition for places in good schools and concerns over the quality of teaching has forced many parents to invest in private tuition for their children.
No longer the preserve of the wealthy or middle class, private tuition is becoming more available and affordable and it seems more and more parents are paying for their children to receive private tuition to run alongside their regular studies in order to get into the school of their choice.
Grammar schools are in huge demand and acceptance into those schools require pupils to pass an entrance exam. For many parents the repercussions of children who fail to get into their school of choice is dire. A poorer education equals poorer prospects and quality of life.
An article in a British Sunday magazine threw up the following statements made by a trainee teacher tutoring at the time...
'One girl was very talented artistically but her parents were only interested in academic achievement. They constantly put her down in front of me.'
'Another parent was desperate for me to persuade his son to choose an academic subject while the boy was sports mad and wanted to do physical education.'
These statements show a disturbing trend and the lengths parents will go to push their children down an academic route which is clearly at odds with their natural abilities.
Education and exams has its place but must it be at the expense of a child's natural gifting? Surely the two can run side by side. Most of the subjects in the national curriculum may not appeal to a youngster on its own, but filtered through the talents of the child's and shown the relevance in relation to his talent. He or she may grasp and become an expert in a subject that once held little interest.
Many adults who have been the victim of parental pushiness will tell you that children who pursue a career or academic route outside of their natural ability or 'true selves' will not remain there. They may well get the grades, the career and the proud parents. But no amount of money or status will quell the frustration and dissatisfaction they feel due to the mismatch. They will leave as soon as something more interesting comes along.
As homeschoolers we are better placed to prevent this happening by taking into account your child's creativity and talent and building a learning programme around that.
by: Ryan Round
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