Education or Business? The Reality of Private Schools

The rapid increase in private schools in our society may appear as educational progress, but in
reality it raises serious concems about quality and purpose. In many residential areas, multiple
schools operate within a single society, creating the impression of opportunity, yet questioning the
standard of education being delivered.

Although schools from Montessori to Grade 10 promise academic excellence, many students still
lack basic communication skills, confidence, and spoken English ability even after years of study.
This highlights a deeper issue: education is becoming more focused on completion of syllabus
rather than development of skills and personality.

For example, a student who studies from Grade 4 to Grade 10 in the same school may still struggle
with basic English communication even after seven years. This reflects gaps in teaching
consistency, academic planning, and management support.

In many private schools, there is also a shortage of subject-specialized teachers. Management
often assigns available teachers to subjects outside their expertise, which affects the quality of
education.

Admission systems in many schools also lack proper assessment. Students are enrolled without
evaluation, focusing more on numbers than learning quality.

Education is a shared responsibility of teachers, parents, and school management. When profit is
prioritized over quality, the system becomes weak and ineffective.

Education should not be a business competition. It should focus on knowledge, character building,
and preparing responsible individuals for society.

In the first part, we examined how the rapid rise of private schools has raised serious concerns about the quality and purpose of education. However, identifying the problem is only the beginning. The more pressing question is:
Who is responsible for this decline, and how can it be corrected?

One of the most overlooked yet critical roles in this system is that of parents. In many cases, parents assume that once their child is admitted to a school, the entire responsibility of education lies with the teachers. This mindset raises an important question:
Where does the role of parents begin and end?

In reality, education is a shared responsibility. Both parents and teachers play an essential role in shaping a student’s personality, behavior, and academic success. However, the current situation reflects a different reality—where school management and parents often shift the entire burden onto teachers. They are expected not only to teach but also to manage discipline, communication skills, and overall development. This unrealistic expectation weakens the system and places undue pressure on educators.

At the same time, the role of school management cannot be ignored. Effective education requires proper planning, qualified staff, and academic vision. Unfortunately, in many private institutions, these elements are compromised. The shortage of subject-specialized teachers remains a serious issue, and management often assigns teachers to subjects outside their expertise. Such practices directly affect the quality of learning and hinder students’ academic growth.

Another alarming trend observed in many schools, particularly within local societies, is the unjustified promotion of students. In some cases, students who fail in one or even two subjects, or barely achieve 50% marks, are still promoted to the next grade. This raises a serious concern:
Are we promoting learning, or merely promoting students?

Such practices weaken academic integrity and send a dangerous message—that effort, performance, and merit are no longer important. If students are advanced without meeting basic standards, the entire purpose of education is compromised.

Moreover, the absence of strict regulation and accountability further worsens the situation. Many institutions operate without proper monitoring, allowing them to prioritize admissions and financial growth over academic excellence. Regular academic audits, teacher qualification checks, and performance evaluations are necessary to ensure that schools meet minimum educational standards.

Real education goes beyond textbooks and examinations. It is about building confidence, developing communication skills, encouraging critical thinking, and instilling values. Without these elements, education becomes incomplete and ineffective.

The solution does not lie in simply reducing the number of schools, but in raising the standard of every institution. This requires:
– Active parental involvement
– Responsible and accountable school management
– Qualified and trained teachers
– Strong regulatory frameworks

As a society, we must change our mindset. Education is not a business model—it is the foundation of our future.

If education continues to be treated as a business, we are not just failing students—we are failing the future of our society.