In many neighbourhoods across Gunjur, Varthur and Sarjapur Road,
evening tuition has become almost automatic. Children come home from
school, grab a snack and leave again for another set of classes. Parents
often feel they have no choice: “Everyone else does it.” But is extra
tuition truly necessary for a child studying in a CBSE school, or has it
become a habit that costs time, money and sleep?
This guide offers an honest look at the question. It explains when
tuition helps, when it hurts, what a good school should provide on its
own, and how to decide for your child. It also covers the position of M
S Dhoni Global School (MSDGS), which states that external tuition and
coaching are not advised because of its methodology. For wider school
comparison, see our parent’s
checklist for choosing a CBSE school.
Why Tuition Became So Common
Several forces push families towards tuition:
- Competition and anxiety. Parents worry that their
child will fall behind peers. - Large classes. When one teacher handles forty or
more students, individual attention is limited. - Content-heavy teaching. Some schools cover the
syllabus quickly and leave understanding to be built outside class. - Work schedules. Busy parents may feel unable to
help with homework. - Social norms. When neighbours and friends send
their children to tuition, it feels risky not to.
None of these reasons is unreasonable, but they do not automatically
mean tuition is the best solution.
When Tuition Can Genuinely
Help
Tuition is not always harmful. It can be useful when:
- A child has missed a lot of school due to illness
or relocation and needs to catch up. - A specific subject is a persistent struggle, and a
tutor can give focused, patient help. - A child is moving from another board or city and
needs to bridge gaps in the syllabus. - A child wants enrichment, such as advanced maths or
a language, beyond the school’s offering. - The school genuinely lacks support, and the child
is not getting enough individual attention.
In these cases, short-term, targeted help is more useful than
blanket, long-term coaching.
When Tuition Can Hurt
Tuition becomes a problem when it is automatic, heavy and unfocused.
Risks include:
- Less sleep and rest. Children who attend classes
every evening have little time to relax. - Less play and sport. Physical activity, which
supports health and learning, gets squeezed out. - Passive learning. A child who relies on a tutor may
stop thinking independently. - Duplication. Repeating the same content as school
can lead to boredom and disengagement in class. - Mixed methods. Tutors may teach different methods
from the school, causing confusion. - Cost. Tuition fees add up across the year.
- Stress. Constant testing and pressure can harm
confidence and wellbeing.
For young children in particular, the early years should be about
curiosity, play and building a love of learning, not about extra
worksheets.
What a Good
School Should Provide Without Tuition
Before you decide on extra classes, check what the school itself
offers.
Strong teaching in class
Children should leave school having understood the day’s lessons.
Look for teachers who explain clearly, use examples and activities, and
check understanding before moving on.
Reasonable class sizes
Smaller groups allow more attention. MSDGS aims for a ratio of about
one teacher for every 20 students. Read why the teacher-student
ratio matters.
Continuous assessment and
feedback
Regular, low-pressure checks help teachers spot difficulties early.
At MSDGS, continuous assessment is combined with academics and
co-curricular activities. Our guide to CBSE continuous
assessment for parents explains how this works.
Support for struggling
learners
The school should have a plan for children who need extra help, such
as small-group sessions, remedial time or one-to-one support during
school hours.
Experiential learning
When children build, test and discuss ideas, they understand more
deeply and need less repetition at home. MSDGS describes an
experiential, learner-oriented curriculum model. See CBSE and NEP 2020
explained.
Open communication
Teachers who talk regularly with parents can catch issues before they
grow.
The MSDGS Position on
Tuition
The FAQ on the school’s website says that external tuition and
coaching are not advised because of its methodology, and invites parents
who want their child to attend outside classes to discuss it with the
school in advance. This reflects a belief that learning should happen
effectively during the school day, with the rest of the child’s time
available for play, rest, sport and family.
As a parent, treat this as a statement of philosophy and then test
it. Ask the school how it supports children who need extra help, how
homework is designed, and what parents can do at home. A school that
discourages tuition should be ready to show how it meets children’s
needs during school hours.
A Practical Decision Guide
Use this quick approach to decide whether your child needs extra
help.
Step 1: Define the problem
Is your child struggling with one topic, one subject or generally? Is
the issue understanding, confidence, attention or something else? Be
specific.
Step 2: Talk to the teacher
first
Ask the class teacher what they observe and what support the school
can provide. Often, a short plan of action can solve the problem without
outside help.
Step 3: Check the basics
Is your child sleeping enough, eating well and able to see the board?
Sometimes the cause is not academic. Vision, hearing, fatigue and
anxiety all affect learning.
Step 4: Try home support
A few minutes of regular practice, reading together or playing maths
games can make a big difference. See how to help your child
with maths at home and our guide to setting up a study routine for
school kids.
Step 5: Consider targeted
help
If the problem persists, look for a short-term, goal-focused tutor or
a school-based support programme. Set a clear target and review progress
after six to eight weeks.
Step 6: Review regularly
Ask your child how they feel. If tuition is helping, continue. If it
is causing stress, reduce or stop.
Warning Signs That
Tuition Is Too Much
- Your child is constantly tired or irritable.
- They have no time for play or hobbies.
- They complain of headaches or stomach aches before classes.
- Their school performance is not improving despite long hours.
- They have lost interest in learning for its own sake.
If you notice these, it is time to cut back and talk to the
school.
What About Competitive Exams
Later?
Some parents begin coaching early for entrance exams. For primary and
middle school children, this is rarely necessary. Strong foundations in
language, maths and science, curiosity and good study habits are the
best preparation. If coaching is needed later, children who have learned
to think independently will benefit more. See preparing for
CBSE Class 10 from an early stage.
How Much Time Does
Your Child Really Have?
Take a typical day for a primary school child in Bengaluru East.
School runs for about six or seven hours, with commute time on top. Add
meals, bath, homework, sleep and some play. There is not much left.
Every extra class has to replace something, and what usually gets
replaced is sleep, play or family time. Ask yourself what your child
will give up to attend each extra class, and whether the trade-off is
worth it.
A Conversation Script for
Parents
If you are unsure what to ask the school, this short script may help.
Adapt the words to your own style.
“My child is finding fractions hard. Can you tell me what you are
seeing in class? What does the school do to support children at this
point? Is there a small-group session or extra practice? What can we do
at home for the next four weeks? When can we check in again?”
This approach shows respect, asks for specifics and sets a timeline.
In many cases, the school will have a plan that makes outside tuition
unnecessary. If the plan is not enough, you will at least have a clearer
idea of what kind of extra help would fit.
Children Who Are Ahead
Tuition is often discussed in terms of catching up, but some children
need more challenge. Before you add outside classes, ask what the school
offers for children who are ready to go deeper: enrichment projects,
clubs, olympiad-style problems or leadership roles. Many children also
find challenge in sports, music, robotics and reading, which build
skills and keep them excited about school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MSDGS allow
children to attend tuition?
The school says external tuition is not advised, and asks parents who
want outside classes to discuss it with the school beforehand.
What if my child struggles
in maths?
Talk to the teacher first, practise at home and ask about support
during school hours. If help is still needed, choose a short, focused
programme.
Will my child fall
behind without tuition?
Not if the school teaches effectively and your child is engaged.
Monitor progress and respond early to difficulties.
What is the best
alternative to tuition?
Strong in-class teaching, regular reading, practice at home, good
sleep and a supportive relationship with the teacher.
Talk to the School
If you would like to understand how a school supports learning
without outside coaching, visit the campus and ask the teachers. Call
+91-7599507777 or send an admission
enquiry to M S Dhoni Global School. You can also read the school’s
FAQ for its statement on tuition.
