Virtual tuitions popular after private tuitions ban

Dubai Jun 14 (UNI) After private tuitions were banned here, Indian students are now opting for virtual tuitions, taking lessons from mentors online.

Students only need a computer, an Internet connection, a webcam, a microphone and a digital pen to take lessons.

Learninghour.com, a recently launched India-based web site, has started providing online tuitions to students from different grades and curricula with the help of teachers, mostly from the subcontinent.

Officials claim that over 1,000 pupils from various schools in the UAE and different curricula, including CBSE, ICSE and GCSE, have already enrolled in the online tutoring programme.

Chandan Agarwal, founder of Learninghour.com told Khaleej Times from New Delhi, ''There is a revolution behind this concept and it addresses problems of students specifically in the UAE, like the lack of professionally qualified teachers to help students.'' Mr Agarwal said the unique concept was aimed at addressing these challenges and providing students with one-to-one (individual) learning options from a trained professional.

Aneeq Dholakia, a Grade X student of an Indian school, has been taking French lessons on the website since January this year and feels tremendous improvement in the subject.

Some parents, however, disagree. ''Learning over the Internet didn't work well for my daughter as the teacher was not next to her,'' Anita Somaiya, a parent of a Grade X student, said.

UNI XC SYU RAI1249