Shadow education: the idea of private tutoring

What is it?

The activity in which students enhance their standard school education by engaging in private coaching or tutoring beyond the official system.

Referred to as “shadow” because it reflects school subjects but is provided privately, frequently for a cost.

Characteristics:

Concurrent system alongside traditional education.

Encompasses the same curriculum while offering additional practice, exam techniques, and personalized support.

Motivated by entrance tests, parental expectations, and concerns about school quality.

Trends (according to the 2025 CMS report):

National average: 27% of students receive coaching → increases to 30.7% in urban locations and 25.5% in rural areas.

Expenditure disparity: Urban households spend about ₹3,988 each year for every child, while rural households spend ₹1,793.

Higher secondary: Urban families allocate ₹9,950 per student, nearly twice the amount rural households spend (₹4,548).

Growth with age: Coaching costs increase from ₹525 (pre-primary) to ₹6,384 (higher secondary).

Funding: 95% of students depend on family resources, while merely 1.2% receive government scholarships