Challenges Faced by Independent Coaching Institutes
Coaching institute business model changes are inevitable in current times. A report by Asian Development Bank in 2012 stated that 83% of Indian high school students take after-school tuition. Further, a DU professor told The Hindu, “It is really not an option anymore; it has almost become mandatory”, about her son enrolling in coaching classes. It is evident that coaching has become an important part of a student’s life today.
But physically going to tuition has become a thing of the past since the lock down began 4 months ago in our country. This calls for figuring out a whole new approach for the functioning of Indian businesses. Within a short span of time, most activities turned online.
It has not been easy, especially for the education sector. While staying at home has not been easy on students, it has been equally challenging for teachers. Schools, colleges and coaching institutes are looking for avenues to provide uninterrupted service to their students.
While bigger players know how to steer clear of such constraints and stay ahead in their business, smaller ones struggle to stay afloat in stormy waters. We have uncovered some of these challenges faced by small coaching institutes with a guide to cut through the competition.
Moving Online
Though managing students in a physical capacity poses its own challenges, the lock down has created fresh ones. Classroom teachings have been replaced by Zoom and Skype classes.
This has raised some major concerns.
Network issues
Internet is no longer a privilege but a necessity for students. Students who lack a stable connection risk to lose out on their studies. As per a research by Buddy4Study, 80% of the people affected by lock down fall in the economically weaker section of the society.
Engaging Students Online
Majority of the students remain lethargic about attending online classes. Even if they do attend, they switch off their cameras on the pretext of having lower bandwidth, finding it easier to escape attentive presence. “Students don’t finish homework as there is no fear of them being questioned,” quoted a teacher to The Indian Express
Virtual Teaching
Continuous monitoring and control by teachers has become problematic in the digital space. As some of the teachers told us, classrooms have a “student-teacher connect” which is important for right teaching missing in the online space.
Assignments and tests
Conducting online tests and timed assignments is another change coaching institutes must face. Availability of a test maker with vernacular language support and mathematical formulas is a specific pain point. Speed of the test generator and its cost are other issues we identified for independent coaching institutes. At Gradeazy we are committed to provide an online test platform that helps fight all of these challenges.
Competition
According to a study done in 2019, nearly 40 lakh Indian students were enrolled in coaching institutes. From UPSC, entrance exams of engineering colleges, MBA, Banking etc. the turnover of the ed-tech industry was estimated to be roughly Rs. 52,000 crore.
Low barriers to entry, such as comparatively low capital requirement, and next to no license documentation requirements to start classes, make it easier for the new players to enter and make high profits.
Small and medium sized institutes are fighting in the same domain to sustain against the large coaching centers, that are backed with larger finance, greater student capacity and a number of other benefits like reduction in cost due to economies of scale, and a better learning environment.
Evolving Syllabus
Times are uncertain with respect to dates of examination and syllabus, and coaching institutes must keep up with these changes. The date of examinations of JEE, NEET, CBSE and others still remain uncertain. Syllabus too has been ever-evolving. This creates an environment of anxiety for parents, students and teachers.
Way forward
How can institutes navigate through this challenge?
Teaching online has several benefits such as reduction of infrastructure cost such as printing and electricity. Wi-Fi charges or investing in digital platforms to conduct classes and assessments are much lower than the cost of maintaining a physical classroom.
Another advantage that smaller coaching classes have is small batch-sizes. Various research studies show that having a small number of students in class affects the classroom experience positively. In classes with more than 30 or so students, it becomes difficult for effective discussion to take place.
A coaching class owner must manage between students, teachers and last of all, finances — which can often become a balancing act between profits and quality.
Teachers are the most important assets of a coaching institute. But experienced teachers come with salaries to match their experience. Coaching institutes must do their own cost-benefit analysis and decide whether they want to keep teachers on a permanent basis or hire them on a project basis.
Another aspect to be considered is the possibility of losing teachers. The teachers affiliated to coaching institutes may start their own coaching centers after building a student connect. Hence, the institutes should adopt best practices to retain talent in the education sector.
Teachers these days also require to remain well connected with the network of educators. They should be thorough on any changes in syllabus through updates from education related news, newsletters from bloggers and teachers within their network.
Gradeazy is experienced in solving the challenges of small to medium sized coaching institutes. Our test and worksheet preparation software can help you to conduct online tests and assignments in a hassle-free manner. We provide you this at very competitive rates as we view your concerns as our own. Schedule a demo now.
