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Private Tuition Becomes Educational Necessity in Manipur, Doctoral Study Finds

2 June 2026

ChildEducare, Education, Education School, Social Development,

News reported by: Fr. Blasius Tete sdb, IND

A doctoral study conducted at Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Meghalaya, has revealed that private tuition has become an integral part of secondary education in Manipur, driven largely by gaps in classroom instruction, academic pressures, and prolonged disruptions in the state's schooling system. The university is led by Dr Rajan Chopra, Chancellor, and Dr Sagar Onkarrao Manjare, Vice-Chancellor.

The research, titled “A Study on the Attitude of Secondary School Students and Parents Towards Emerging Trend of Private Tuition in Imphal East & West Districts of Manipur,” was successfully defended by Fr. Igness Hans, SDB, at the university's Seminar Hall on June 2. Conducted under the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, the study offers a comprehensive examination of the rapidly expanding culture of private tutoring—often described as “shadow education”—in the state.

The thesis defence was attended by Dr Bahunlang Tron, Principal of the College of Teacher Education, Shillong, Dr Mamata Pandit, Dean (Academics), and Dr Sandip Ratna, Associate Professor. Salesian representatives Fr. (Dr.) Rajeesh Devasia and Fr. (Dr.) Amil Kujur was also present.

Drawing on data collected from students, parents, teachers, school heads, and coaching centre operators, the research explored the factors behind the growing dependence on private tuition among students in Classes IX-XII. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaires, interviews, and case studies, with statistical analysis conducted in SPSS using Chi-square testing.

One of the most significant findings was that over 75 per cent of students believed private tuition helped them understand academic concepts better than regular classroom teaching. The study also found that 72.61 per cent of students enrolled in tuition classes because school syllabi were not completed adequately during regular instructional hours.

According to the researcher, frequent school closures due to social unrest, ethnic conflicts, strikes, curfews, and teacher shortages have undermined the effectiveness of formal schooling, prompting students and parents to seek academic support outside the classroom.

The study further revealed a gender dimension to the trend, with female students accounting for 53.2 per cent of tuition attendees, compared to 46.8 per cent male students. While tuition classes were perceived as beneficial for academic achievement, they also imposed a significant financial burden on families. Nearly 75.63 per cent of parents reported concerns about the rising costs of private tutoring.

Another critical finding highlighted the growing educational divide created by private tuition. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds often struggle to access additional coaching, resulting in unequal learning opportunities and widening academic disparities.

Fr. Hans cautioned that excessive dependence on private tuition could undermine the broader goals of education. Referring to Victor Hugo’s concept of “Compranchicos,” he argued that an education system focused primarily on examination success risks neglecting creativity, critical thinking, character formation, and the holistic development of young people.

To address these challenges, the study recommends strengthening classroom teaching, ensuring timely completion of curricula, improving teacher remuneration and professional development, and introducing free or subsidised remedial programmes for disadvantaged students. It also calls for greater regulation of coaching centres and tuition fees, alongside renewed emphasis on student well-being and holistic learning.

The findings are expected to contribute significantly to educational policy discussions in Manipur, particularly regarding the regulation of private tuition and the strengthening of formal schooling. By highlighting both the benefits and limitations of shadow education, the study provides an evidence-based framework for policymakers, educators, and parents seeking to improve educational quality and equity in the state.

As private tuition increasingly becomes a parallel education system, the research underscores the urgent need to restore confidence in regular schooling and ensure that quality education remains accessible to all students, regardless of economic background.