Beginning Saturday, teachers at the Indian School Muscat (ISM) will be giving extra coaching to some students.

“We wish to bring to your kind notice that we will be commencing special classes for the students of Standard III to VIII. The special classes are intended for students whose performance is below the expected level in the first test conducted in May 2017. The classes will be conducted on all Saturday’s between 9 am to 11.15 am. The first special class for the term would commence on August 12, 2017,” a circular from ISM to parents said.

The circular also stated that the special classes will have several benefits. “Small learning communities have a unique identity, clear curricular focus and clearly defined criteria for successful completion of academic work,” the Principal of Indian School Muscat, Dr Rajeev Kumar Chauhan said, in the circular. Other benefits included are that teachers act as advisors and mentors for a small group of students. “Students receive guidance and support to develop and achieve success in academic work,” it said.

School officials said this move was introduced after they found out that several students were lagging in certain main subjects. “That is one of the reasons we have introduced this for all main subjects,” an official said.

Many students are found to need extra support in subjects, such as Mathematics, English and Science.