Abash Paid-For Tuitions Part 1

By Matongo Maumbi

Education is said to be the greatest link to literacy. I say education is one way of milking your mind out to suit those that are cheating or is it teaching you!

Likezo Muyoyeta debating during the
 African Schools Debating Championship in RSA 

My favourite era in my life was my first grade when I seldom went to school and even when I did, I seldom got into class to learn. Only I know how I did my homework without being in class. Oh I hated anyone who forced me to go to class.

I did all sorts of tricks just not to be in class - locking myself in the toilet/bathroom, hiding behind sofas, climbing wardrobes, hiding under drainage culverts, hiding my books, dirtying my uniform and just anything else that would keep me out of class.

It didn't take long for me to start liking school - somewhere in my third grade. I just made it a point that no girl should surpass me in any exam, and when they did, I worked extra hard to make sure am the best in class. Wow, where did I lose that touch!! When I qualified to go to Canisius, it was all boys and I just relaxed.

The point I am coming to now is the motivation my teachers gave me in my secondary school years. That personal couching which made each of us be a part of the class except in instances where one just hated the subject or worse off the teacher.

Every August at Canisius Secondary School, grade 12s were accorded a two-week study break. This was meant to give chance to teachers and pupils have extra lessons on subjects they still found hard to comprehend. Great teachers such as Peter Ng'andu 'Level' (RIP) for History, Uncle TG Matesamwa (RIP) for Principles of Accounts, Sitali (RIP) Sciences and Halale for mathematics accorded us their time, for free so that we  could fully understand the subject contents.

The zeal and determination to see to it that all pupils got good results motivated the teachers for free consultation whenever we would approach them. We also had that passion and brilliance of being in class to learn and not be spoon fed.

14years down the line, things have totally changed. Tuitions have become the order of the day, and worse off parents have to pay the teachers huge sums of money to have their children learn what they otherwise MUST learn in class.

The tuition system has invaded ALL schools in Zambia such that parents take it that that is the best way to have their children educated. Do we really need these paid for tuitions? Are we in for the business or the education?  

The good old days of dedicated teachers are a thing of the past. Gone are our days when dedicated teachers taught in the classroom and that was sufficient for the us to prepare for exams. When I was not sure of anything, my teacher would passionately offer to help me catch up either at school or at home. 

I like the stance taken by the Minister of Education in Kenya, Mutula Kilonzo, who has put it point blank that strong disciplinary action will be taken against any public or private school ignoring the directive abolishing holiday tuition.

"Professionally, extra coaching or tuition is given to learners who show weakness in certain subjects. Such learners need remedial teaching to compensate the lapses they suffer from in learning ability, compared with their classmates. This is what constitutes remedial teaching and does not involve payment by parents.

"This is part and parcel of the calling of a teacher. It is in fact a violation of the teachers' code of ethics to either provide extra tuition to such learners at a fee and/or, decline to provide it when payment is not forthcoming," he said.

How I wish the Minister of Education in Zambia would rise and utter such words instead of mere politicking insulting those in schools. Sha!

THE PROS of TUITIONS

• ·         A pupil is able to gain extra knowledge which he otherwise failed to learn in class.
• ·         Maximizes the pupils' time taking them away from vices
• ·         Pupils are able to study as groups to exchange knowledge, and test each other's ability through past questions.
• ·         Education becomes a thing for ALL and not just the rich

THE FLIP-SIDE

• ·         Parents are more financially burden as the tuitions of today are expensive.
• ·         Child proper learning becomes overshadowed by parent's desire to have good results no matter what
• ·         Pupils get pressured too much leading to social problems
• ·         Creativity and dedication from teachers is only seen where there is that extra money.
• ·         Best tips on exams are left for such tuitions as a marketing gimmick.

For the time-being, I end here as I gather more ammunition, and to give you room to argue or cement my argument....TB