Shadow Schooling in India

With the emergence of the shadow schooling phenomenon of private tuition or coaching beyond the school day, India is witnessing a significant transformation in its education system. Another recent Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation indicates that one out of three students is currently relying on such coaching, with urban areas on the forefront of this trend.

What is Shadow Schooling?

Shadow schooling is an additional personal instruction that is used in conjunction with classroom instruction and is used to help students prepare in advance of an exam or other competition. In urban areas it has become something nearly essential since academic pressure has increased.

Rural vs Urban Schooling

• Rural locations: Government schools which are cheap still serve the rural population of about 56% of students.
• Urban: Private unaided schools predominate and only 30 percent of the children are enrolled in government institutions. The increasing incomes and aspirations create an urge to parents to learn in a private education.

Cost Gap Between Schools

• Government schools: The average annual expenditure is only Rs2,863 per pupil.
• Private schools: Approximately Rs25,002 per student, which is approximately ninefold greater.
• Students at government schools pay no fees, and nearly all students at the private schools do. Uniforms and books are also more expensive to city families.

Coaching Costs and Reach

• 27% of students attend private coaching.
• Urban: 31% students receive coaching, and the families spend around Rs3,988 per year.
• Rural: 26% students get coaching, which costs them approximately Rs1,793 per year.
• Coaching is highest in cities at level of higher secondary at Rs9,950 per student.

Who Funds Education?

• Family funding is used by 95 percent of students.
• Only 1.2 percent of the students are covered by scholarships.
• The role of the government and the limited role of money are the families who have to submit school fees and coach privately.

Policy Concerns

The survey points to the increase in educational inequality: rural students rely on inexpensive government schools, whereas urban families must pay expensive fees for their children to attend private schools and coaches. Shadow education increases disparities associated with income and access. This is a gap that will need to be bridged as the National Education Policy (NEP) is implemented to provide equitable and inclusive education to every child.