Abstract:
Private classes are a common phenomenon in the world. In Sri
Lanka, the government has been introducing free education since 1931 and
continuously providing free education to students from school to university,
but the number of students seeking private classes is increasing. Most of the
studies conclude that private classes do not have a significant influence on
the attainment of higher education, and some scholars argue that private
classes are a burden to students. On the other hand, some ideas are being
put forward that private education leads students to better results. Beyond
that, conditions are increasing for students to move to private classes. Based
on these factors, students seek private classes. This study aims to identify
that the influential Psychosocial factors of the student’s curiosity to seeking
private tuition class. For this purpose, quantitative and qualitative methods
were used, under the Kalmunai Education Zone, Maruthamunai was
selected as a sample. In the purposive sampling technique, data collected
from students who following higher studies in Arts, Science, and
Mathematics in two National Schools in the Maruthamunai. Questioner
method and unstructured interviews were used as data collecting
techniques. Data were analyzed through content analysis and MS Excel
software. The results showed that Psychosocial factors such as the
attractiveness of friends, relations and neighbors, private educational
institutions, the educational ambitions are playing as a major impact on
student’s curiosity to seeking private tuition class. Therefore, based on the
impact of such factors on the interest in private classes, there should be a
focus on conducting policy classes related to private classes in the future.
