Schools around Australia do not provide the quality or quantity of education for some parents. The school week just isn’t long enough to get the kind of learning that a number of students need - at least according to their mum and dad. Parents who are looking for a higher attainment levels in their children send them to private tuition on weekdays after school and weekends too.

For some, it is similar to sports training. You practice to get better at a sport, so why not additional practice to get better academically? Do we deny athletes and sportspeople extra training and better coaches to improve their game? (I am not talking about children with special needs or learning difficulties receiving assistance. Students with these sorts of needs require extra work and help).

Most parents encourage their children to be active in this manner, trying out for teams, taking them to sports or watching some events. This is the norm, parents expecting their children to undertake and join some sporting team whilst at school.

Some children might not be good at sport or able to train to a required level. They may be naturally academic and enjoy school work - just as another child might enjoy swimming or football. Because it does not involve sport, some in Australia see it as divisive or not helping the child. Of course, some physical activity is required to ensure students have a balance. Some might train 3 or times a week at their chosen sport, even at junior level. Training or being coached academically could be seen within this context of achieving a better outcome through practice.

Suggestions it overloads the child and that they spend too much time in front of their books or computers are common too. That they become overly studious and academic can be a criticism. Do others focus too much on sport or other pursuits to their detriment? We all know children who train and play sport most if not all nights of the week.

The right balance is the preferred way for all. But some coaching or tuition cannot be seen as a complete negative. Striving for better academic results is a good thing.