London School outsources maths classes to India

Updated on: Monday, October 04, 2010

Ashmount Primary, a north London school, has outsourced mathematics teaching to India.

According to a BBC report, pupils in this institution are improving in this subject.

Shortage of mathematics teachers in British schools has for some time presented an opportunity to Indians to teach the subject.

Many have even moved to Britian to teach mathematics.

A British firm, Bright Spark Education Company (BSEC), facilitates online mathematics classes by teachers thousands of miles away in Ludhiana. Classes are booked 24 hours in advance; and at a stipulated students log on and converse with their tutor over the internet.

The lessons, designed for children between seven and 16, cost Â£12 an hour; and parents sign up for blocks of two or five hours.

The students appear to be excited about the project. BBC quoted several 10-year-olds saying this. Adam, a student, said: "It's fun because it's on the computer and not doing it on your books." Another student Rosa added: "It's fun because you're talking to someone elsewhere."

For this purpose, the BSEC has hired around 100 maths graduates, who are paid Â£7 an hour. One of them remarked, "I can't see the

student, but I can talk. I can chat with them so it's a different way of teaching and as effective as a classroom â€” even more effective, so that's what I like about it."

However, teacher's unions in Britain are unhappy.

London School outsources maths classes to India

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