When a U.K student began worrying about the complexity of AS-level biology he got a tutor from more than 4,000 miles from his school because a new e-tutoring system has made the distance irrelevant.
Across India, hundreds of teachers have been recruited to feed a growing demand for online tutors. With maths and science teaching in Britain and the US in crisis, new Indian tutors are rushing to fill the gaps.
The e-tutors give individual help. Some work in tutor centres, helping children struggling with homework. Others sit by computers at home.
Some entrepreneurs have spotted the lucrative possibilities of converting this expertise into services to the West. Online education is providing a wave of new business. because,it's almost impossible for children to get personalised attention in England or America.Very few can afford private tuition.
Classes are conducted via a whiteboard that allows tutor and pupil to watch each other draw symbols and go through equations together on the net, using a mouse instead of chalk. India's educational standards are generally of very high standard and there is some fine teaching of maths and science, with a traditional and rigorous approach. The real advantage is that Indian teachers are cheaper.
India's new online teachers have not been impressed by the standards achieved by British children. 'They are not really academically fully skilled.There seems to have been a deterioration in standards. Retention in Indian students is much better.
The teachers go through intensive training to neutralise the way they speak English and have lessons in British culture.'Maths teachers are retiring and not enough good teachers are coming into the system.'It's about having extra help with understanding things.
