Sun Aug 31 19:43:30 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten version in a news article format, keeping an Indian perspective in mind:
**Summary:**
A recent government survey in Delhi, conducted between April and June 2025, reveals a significant reliance on private coaching among school students. Nearly 40% of Delhi students attend coaching classes, considerably higher than the national average, with a peak among higher secondary students (almost 60%). The survey indicates a growing perception that coaching is increasingly vital for success in competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET, leading to a decline in the perceived importance of formal schooling. Families are spending substantial amounts on coaching, particularly in higher grades, in addition to regular school expenses.
**News Article:**
**Delhi Students Increasingly Reliant on Private Coaching, Raising Concerns Over Formal Education**
**NEW DELHI, September 1, 2025** – A new government survey has revealed a worrying trend in Delhi’s education landscape: a significant and growing dependence on private coaching classes among school students. The Comprehensive Modular Survey (Education), conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation between April and June 2025, found that nearly four out of ten students in Delhi are enrolled in private coaching, a rate far exceeding the national average of 27%.
The reliance on coaching peaks at 59.2% among students in Classes 11 and 12, the crucial years for preparing for highly competitive entrance exams like JEE, NEET, and CUET. This data highlights a potential shift in perception, with some parents and students viewing coaching as more critical than formal schooling itself for securing success in these exams.
“Going to coaching has become common, particularly among senior students preparing for competitive examinations. Parents even tell us that coaching is more important than school because exams like CUET, JEE, and NEET are based on MCQs,” said Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka.
The survey also sheds light on the financial burden placed on families. While average annual spending on regular school-related expenses like course fees, transportation, and textbooks is already substantial, coaching adds a significant extra layer of expenditure. Families in Delhi are spending, on average, ₹4,992 at the middle school level, ₹10,866 in secondary classes, and ₹12,891 at the higher secondary level, specifically on coaching.
The growing reliance on private coaching raises questions about the effectiveness of the formal education system and its ability to adequately prepare students for competitive exams. It also exacerbates inequalities, as students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds may not be able to afford quality coaching, potentially hindering their future prospects.
Education experts are calling for a review of the curriculum and teaching methodologies to ensure that schools are better equipped to prepare students for the demands of competitive exams. There is also a need to address the perceived pressure on students to excel in these exams, which can lead to undue stress and anxiety. The findings of this survey should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and educators alike to address the challenges facing the education system and ensure that all students have a fair chance to succeed.