Ring, ring…
The sound of the school bell echoes throughout the school compound.
The clock on the wall reads 3:30 PM.
“Thank you, teacher!” the students say before packing their bags and leaving the classroom.
However, they are not heading home. Instead, many of them make their way to a nearby tuition centre, where they attend another round of lessons from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, effectively turning certain weekdays into 10-hour study days.
According to a 2024 report by Zekolah, 79.8% of Malaysian students attend tuition classes, that is, nearly 8 out of every 10 students. This is a significant increase from 2020, when the figure was around 60%. One possible reason is the growing pressure to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, learning became more digital, and competition for university placements, scholarships and future careers has only intensified.
Malaysia has also developed what educational researchers refer to as a "shadow education" system, where private tuition operates alongside mainstream schooling and has become a major part of many students' lives. On top of a regular school day that typically runs from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, many students spend several additional hours every week attending tuition.
This doesn't even include students' other commitments. Many participate in sports, music, art, clubs, volunteering or spend time with family and friends. As academic demands continue to grow, these activities are often the first to be sacrificed. Over time, the constant workload can leave students feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and eventually burnt out.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also cautions that simply increasing the number of hours students spend studying does not necessarily lead to better academic achievement. Instead, excessive learning time may negatively affect students' mental and physical well-being, especially when it comes at the expense of rest, exercise and hobbies.
Many students even plead with their parents to stop sending them to tuition. Yet, despite their objections, many parents continue to insist. Why?
One reason lies in the difference between generations.
Many parents grew up during a time when access to information was far more limited. Looking up the meaning of a Chinese character required searching through a thousand-page dictionary. Research often meant visiting a library, while internet connections were slow and unreliable. Public transportation was also much less developed than it is today.
In comparison, today's students have access to smartphones, high-speed internet, educational videos and even AI-powered learning tools capable of explaining difficult concepts within seconds. Because modern students have far more learning resources available, some parents believe they should be capable of achieving even greater academic success. As a result, many see tuition not as a burden, but as an investment in their child's future.
Another reason is that teachers simply cannot provide personalised attention to every student.
In a classroom of 30 to 40 students, teachers must teach at a pace that suits the majority. Some students require additional guidance, while others are ready to move ahead more quickly. It is nearly impossible for one teacher to meet everyone's individual learning needs within limited lesson time.
Recognising this, many parents choose tuition centres, where class sizes are often much smaller, typically between 5 and 20 students. This allows students to ask questions more freely, receive individual attention and revisit topics they may not have fully understood in school.
Research conducted in Malaysia also suggests that parents' educational background and students' previous academic performance influence how much families spend on private tuition. This reflects the belief held by many parents that additional academic support gives their children a better chance of succeeding in an increasingly competitive education system.
So, what are the actual effects of attending tuition classes?
To begin with, tuition can improve students' academic performance by providing additional practice, personalised explanations and exam-oriented strategies. Smaller class sizes also encourage students to ask questions they might feel too shy to ask in school.
However, research suggests that the relationship is not always straightforward. While tuition can be beneficial, simply spending more hours studying does not automatically guarantee higher grades. Educational researchers emphasise that the quality of learning is often far more important than the quantity of time spent studying.
Beyond academics, tuition also allows students to build friendships outside school and learn from tutors with different teaching approaches, exposing them to new perspectives and learning styles.
However, these benefits do not come without trade-offs.
Students who attend tuition classes several times a week often have very little time left for hobbies, exercise or simply relaxing. Over time, this may reduce motivation, increase stress and contribute to both academic and emotional burnout.
Furthermore, tuition classes can cost anywhere between RM30 and RM60 per hour, creating an additional financial burden for many families.
The OECD also highlights that extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts and volunteering help students develop creativity, teamwork, leadership and communication skills. When tuition consumes too much of a student's free time, opportunities to develop these equally important life skills may be lost.
All in all, whether tuition classes are truly necessary remains a topic of debate.
For some students, tuition provides valuable academic support and helps them overcome learning difficulties. For others, it may simply add unnecessary stress while reducing the time available for rest, hobbies and personal development.
Educational researchers generally agree that success is determined not simply by how many hours a student studies, but by how effectively they learn and whether they are able to maintain a healthy balance between academics and personal well-being.
Perhaps the real question is not whether tuition is good or bad, but whether every student truly needs it. After all, education should not only produce excellent grades, it should also nurture healthy, well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life beyond the classroom.
Well, what are your thoughts on tuition culture? Share below!
Jaden W (wmjaden3@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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