Goa boasts a 100% literacy rate, a historic milestone that exceeds the 95% literacy goal outlined in the New India Literacy Programme. This success is a reflection of years of committed policy initiatives, robust educational infrastructure, and active community involvement. It demonstrates that the foundational objective of universal literacy has now been realized, promising a more promising future for the youth of Goa and contributing to the State’s socio-economic advancement.
Nonetheless, beneath this commendable success lies a somewhat concerning story, as indicated by the recent Union government’s report on private coaching within Goa. While literacy levels have risen, the increasing dependence on private coaching—particularly among urban students—raises concerns about the fairness and sustainability of education in the State. Something is amiss since there is an overdependence on tuition classes.
The report reveals a clear urban-rural divide in the likelihood of seeking private coaching. Urban primary-level students are more inclined to seek tuitions (10.6%) compared to rural students (7.4%). This gap drastically increases at the middle school stage, where almost half (44.2%) of urban pupils participate in coaching, in contrast to just 9.3% of rural students. The divide gets wider in higher secondary education, with over 70% of urban learners opting for extra coaching, compared to only 26.8% of their rural counterparts. This disparity reflects a complex trend that needs scrutiny. Is there an injustice being done to the rural class, or is it that rural students cannot afford coaching fees?
From a financial perspective, private coaching places a considerable financial burden on families, particularly in rural regions. Among those who actively avail coaching, rural families face an astounding annual expenditure of Rs 18,596— way beyond the Rs 11,837 spent by urban families. Rural girls incur an average annual cost of Rs 20,542 for coaching, which is much higher than the Rs 13,044 spent by rural boys and Rs 13,234 by urban girls. This discrepancy suggests that rural students, possibly motivated by aspirations for further education or societal expectations, are bearing higher costs, reflecting both their determination and the financial sacrifices their families make to support their goals.
Tuition classes offer an alternative teaching style or a deeper dive into subjects, catering to students who need extra help or want to excel further. But at what cost? The report highlights a heavy reliance on household funding—nearly 89% of students depend on a single source, mainly family members (97.2%). This dependence indicates a socio-economic trend where education, particularly private coaching, remains a family-focused investment. Also, the prevailing trend indicates a major private sector influence in the educational framework, which must be addressed through policy initiatives that ensure equitable access and high-quality education without an over-dependence on private coaching.
Tuitions have become a crucial component of learning, with students increasingly relying on coaching classes. Will this change going forward? A key objective of the NEP 2020 is to wean school children away from private tuition and coaching classes. The policy aims to make Board exams easier and more flexible, focusing on core competencies and allowing students to pass with basic effort in class. Nonetheless, coaching centres continue to thrive, and reforms haven’t been any deterrent.
The emerging pattern of private coaching—its high costs, urban-rural disparities, and gendered dimensions—points to the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to education, ensuring that the momentum of literacy translates into meaningful learning outcomes for all. The focus should be on universal literacy.
