Former Universiti Malaya professor of education T Marimuthu described private tuition as running “parallel” to the mainstream school system.
While tuition yields benefits by producing higher-scoring school-leavers, he said, it primarily benefits students with middle-class backgrounds.
“Students from more affluent backgrounds have access to tuition when they struggle in certain subjects, providing them with an advantage.
“In contrast, those from the B40 group face a disadvantage due to their economic circumstances, which prevent them from being able to afford tuition,” he told FMT.
Marimuthu said government assistance was necessary to allow poorer students to have access to private tuition.
He suggested that schools offer free extra classes. Alternatively, Putrajaya should sponsor tuition lessons for students from B40 households by directly paying tuition centres the necessary fees in order to bridge the gap.
Presently, private tuition continues to mushroom with parents not wanting their children to fall behind in their studies.
Several parents recently told FMT they lacked confidence in the national education system, claiming their children were not receiving enough attention from schoolteachers due to their heavy teaching workload and crowded classrooms.
The parents said private tuition allowed their children to receive individual attention, giving them a better grasp of the subjects taught.
Educational lobbyist Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) agreed with Marimuthu, noting that low-income families simply cannot afford the extra expense.
“As tuition has become the norm, students from low-income families undoubtedly face greater academic challenges and hardships.
“The culture of tuition is detrimental and financially burdensome for many. Subjecting children as young as six years old to tuition is unjust,” said PAGE chairman Noor Azimah Rahim.
Noor Azimah said more effective teaching in schools would naturally negate the need for additional tutoring.
“If teachers were able to dedicate the same level of energy in the classroom, tuition would not be necessary,” she said.