With schools still shut, home tutors earn big bucks

With schools still shut, home tutors earn big bucks

Nirupa.Vatyam@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  24.06.2020

The extended ‘lockdown’ of school premises in the city have brought home tutors back into business. With many children unable to cope with online classes, parents are turning to in-house tuitions to ensure their kids do not lag behind. And this despite the hefty price tag that most of these tutors come with — anywhere between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7,000 a month, for three classes a week. In rare cases the fee is even higher, confess tutors.

“A parent from DRDL offered to pay Rs 8,000 only to clear the doubts of his two sons, who are in classes 6 and 7. It is for an hour-long class every day,” said B Shiva a tutor who is employed at a school in Ameerpet. Like him there are others too who, courtesy the pandemic, have suddenly found themselves in great demand. Unlike other years when home tutors would start getting year enquires only after the first summative tests i.e around October or November, and that too only from parents whose children were set to appear for board examinations, this year parents they already have their phones ringing incessantly.

“Last year, during the beginning of academic year, I got about 10 enquires. This year, I have already received enquiries from close to 30 parents,” said T Mahesh, a mathematics tutor adding that this year even parents of classes 8 and 9 students are inclined on hiring home tutors for core subjects. And despite job/salary cuts, many are willing to pay 20% to 30% more for availing tuitions — particularly Physics and Mathematics. Same is the case with parents of class 6, 7 students looking at hiring a teacher for all subjects.

“It’s worked out well for us too,” said Ali Basha saying how many teachers, with no salary from schools, are falling back on this income. “I teach Maths, Science, and English to two brothers, who are in classes 7 and 8, for two hours every day and charges Rs 10,000 for it. I am currently surviving on this,” Basha said and added that he is planning to take on more home tuitions to increase his income.

Parents say, hiring a home tutor is not just more convenient — as they do not need to send their children out for private tuitions in these circumstances — but also more fruitful for their kids. “My son’s school started online classes from June 1. But I noticed that he is unable to grasp the subjects taught through this format. So, I have now hired a home tutor to come in and clear his doubts. He charges Rs 5,000 per months,” said M Suhasini, parent of Class 7 student.

For over a week now, I have started taking home tuitions for class 10 students. Currently, I am teaching physics to three students and conduct classes on alternate days. I charge about ₹6, 000 per month from each student. — Ch Venkata Raghavan.

I have started taking home tuitions for class 10 students. Currently, I am teaching physics to three students and conduct classes on alternate days. I charge about ₹6, 000 per month from each student

Ch Venkata Raghavan | PHYSICS TUTOR