In the life of a high school student today, going for extra coaching classes is as normal as going to school. Though not every student finds the need for coaching, most students still end up going for extra preparation for their board exams or entrance exams. Going to school is already quite a task as classes are longer with stay-backs, homework and regular tests and students are quite drained when they return home, only to get ready for coaching. So, the question that arises quite often is why one must go to school and coaching; isn’t one enough. 

The reason is simple enough; school and coaching don’t have the same motives.

High school education focuses on many different things, though mainly focusing on academics; it also tries to incorporate extra-curricular activities. The academics focus on helping the students pass their board exams which can be considered as a standardized test and to pass this test, students need to first be taught the lessons from scratch and then follow up with practice and advanced questions. The level of teaching can be considered to be only basic and not highly advanced. 

On the other hand, a coaching center’s aim is not to really teach the student all the basics but to help the student work more efficiently on solving the advanced questions, as they usually also prepare students for more subjective entrance tests. Coaching centers do not worry about extra-curricular activities as it isn’t their responsibility. They want to incorporate as many hours of practice as possible and get students familiar with harder questions.

In school, it is the students’ responsibility to understand what is taught, as the teacher focuses on the students as a whole, rather than individually. It is also the students’ duty to find enough time to get sufficient practice and finish the given assignments while also preparing for internal assessments. Though teachers will help them if approached it still depends on the student, if they approach and seek help.

Coaching institutes are chosen so that they can cater to the specific needs of each student. So, they will pay attention to each student and guide every student through their difficulties and make sure they all get sufficient practice. Coaching doesn’t focus on the tests as their motive is to make sure the student understands. 

From this comparison what we actually learn is that both high school and coaching centers have their own specific functions and that they cannot substitute on another. Though high school is mandatory, coaching is a private decision that totally depends on the students’ needs. But in either case, the student must utilize the facilities given to them for maximum benefit. If they gain solely from their high school classes then there is no need for further support but if needed, they definitely should seek the extra help.