ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

The Pressure Paradox: How Coaching Centres Simultaneously Enhance and Undermine Students’ Well-being and Academic Performance in District Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh (2025–2026)

The present study titled “The Pressure Paradox: How Coaching Centers Simultaneously Enhance and Undermine Student Well-being and Academic Performance” investigates the dual impact of coaching institutions on secondary and senior secondary students in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, during the academic period 2025–2026. In recent years, coaching centers have become an essential component of the Indian education system, particularly for competitive academic preparation. While they are widely recognized for improving academic outcomes, their influence on student mental health and motivation remains a growing concern. The growing dependence on coaching centers among secondary and senior secondary students has significantly reshaped the educational landscape in India. The study is based on primary data collected from a sample of 150 students, drawn from both urban and rural areas to ensure balanced representation. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on academic performance, stress levels, motivation, and study environment. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, including percentage analysis and comparative assessment. The findings reveal that coaching centers significantly contribute to academic improvement, However, this academic benefit is accompanied by considerable psychological pressure, Interestingly, despite elevated stress, a large proportion of students demonstrated moderate to high motivation, indicating a complex relationship between pressure and performance. The findings reveal that while coaching centers enhance academic motivation and goal orientation, they simultaneously contribute to increased stress levels, creating a “pressure paradox.” A positive correlation between stress and motivation was observed, indicating that increased motivation often accompanies heightened stress. The study highlights the need for integrating mental health support within coaching environments to ensure holistic student development.