Why don’t we encourage private tuition?

Author: Susanna Dalais, Director of Board, Lighthouse Education Ltd.

In Mauritius, “tuitions” is often viewed by both students and parents as a necessary evil to get through school.

Lighthouse very strongly recommends for families not to seek out private paid tuition. At the same time, Lighthouse teachers are not permitted to give private paid tuition to Lighthouse students.

• To the contrary, Lighthouse teachers go above and beyond to help students individually at no extra charge, through their main classroom teaching and management methods, at break times and study halls and sometimes have even offered after-school help.  
• Lighthouse also sees extra-curricular sports, music and art, as well as service, to be of more benefit to academic success than extra lessons.  Students also need plenty of sleep and rest on weekends. 
• What this means is, Lighthouse by design is relational and active. Success depends on students being physically and mentally present.  We want students to learn to seek help from our teachers. Often students with tutors tell us they don’t ask questions because they expect the tutor will help.
• It is unnecessary! Our students who have not availed themselves of private tuition perform as well or better on CIE exams as those who do. 
• Tutors often are not coordinating with the classroom and use different methods. The consequence is confusion for the student and distraction from our lessons.
• A registered school like Lighthouse must employ teachers who are professionally qualified and also registered.  They have oversight and, importantly, undergo training to keep students safe.  Sending children to individuals in unregistered entities, or in private homes, may compromise the student’s learning. According to the Education Act, extra tuition is illegal up to Grade 6, and permitted in only a few narrow definitions above it.

At Lighthouse, we prioritise a holistic approach to education, where students thrive through in-house support, active engagement, and extracurricular activities, ensuring academic success without the need for private tuition.