//vol.15-2 Spotlight
Private tutoring flourishes in Hong Kong. In a small sample survey conducted specifically for this issue, responses from 360 students, as well as a few parents, teachers and tutors were received.
Our recent survey with students, parents, teachers and tutors reveals new data on private tutoring:
- Of the 72% of students who are still attending tutoring, reasons could vary from examination preparation; seeking clarity on difficult concepts and to fulfilling parental expectations.
- Parents interviewed shared mixed responses on why they sent their children for private tutoring.
- 90% of the teachers agreed they do see distinctive differences from their students who receive private tutoring, versus those who do not.
本雜誌最新一項調查發現，學生、家長、教師和補習導師對補習的看法有以下新趨勢：
- 於72%上補習班的學生中，各人參加的原因不盡相同：有人是為了充分準備考試；有的是為了尋找私人導師指導並釐清一些困難的學習概念；有的則是為滿足父母對自己的期望。
- 受訪家長對讓子女接受私人補習的反應不一。
- 九成教師認同，他們確實看到接受私人補習的學生與其他學生之間明顯的實力分別。
Private tutoring has long been a thriving business in Hong Kong. According to a 2012 survey conducted by the Federation’s Youth Research Centre (YRC), it was noted that more than 50% of secondary students enrolled in private tutoring services, while approximately 22.1% of primary students in Primary Three or lower received private tutoring at the same time.
Another study by market research company Ipsos (2016) showed that up to 3,300 schools provide tutorial courses for primary school pupils, and about 2,900 schools targeted secondary school students.
There are significant numbers of education centres providing a wide variety of choice for the public, including classes in musical instruments, dancing, artwork, languages, sports, martial arts, or even actuarial science, often referred to as enrichment programmes. Many learning centres also offer classes in academic areas such as English, Mathematics, Chinese, and STEM, as well as for preparatory and admissions exams, including SAT and TOEFL.
From our study conducted with 342 students, 19 parents, 20 teachers, and 20 tutors this spring, we hope to shed new light on the existing factors that continue to contribute to the booming industry of private tutoring in Hong Kong.
Students’ responses
342 students from the primary and secondary levels participated in our month-long survey, where statistics
revealed that a high percentage of them have attended private tutoring lessons (96.7%), with 72.2% still attending tutoring classes.
Participation in Private Tutoring
Q1: Have you participated in private tutoring?
| Yes | No |
96.7% |
3.3% |
Q2: Are you currently still receiving in private tutoring?
| Yes | No |
72.2% |
27.8% |
Method of Private Tutoring
Q3: How did you have your private tutoring lessons? (More than one option can be selected)
Time Allocation for Private Tutoring
Q4. How much time do/did you allocate time for private tutoring?
| a. 1 to 2 hours per week | b. 2 to 4 hours per week | c. 4 to 6 hours per week | d. More than 6 hours per week |
41.27% |
28.9% |
11.7% |
18.1% |
Number of Subjects Received for Private Tutoring
Q5. In how many academic subject(s) do/did you receive private tutoring?
| a. 1 subject | b. 2 subjects | c. 3 subjects | d. More than 4 subjects |
33% |
30.7% |
16.4% |
19.9% |
Top Reasons for Undertaking Private Tutoring
Q6. What are some of the reasons for undertaking private tutoring?
Please select up to three reasons.
Overall Academic Performance after Receiving Private Tutoring
Q7. Please rate your overall academic performance after receiving private tutoring.
| a. Better | b. No change | c. Worse | d. Don’t know |
60.5% |
22.2% |
3.8% |
13.5% |
Overall Sentiments of attending Private Tutoring
Q8. To what extent do you agree with this statement: 「I enjoy having private tutoring.」
| Strongly Agree | Quite Agree | Neutral | Quite Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
10.5% |
28.4% |
42.1% |
7.9% |
9.4% |
Parents’ responses
19 parents, with one to four children, replied to our survey. They were asked if they seat their children for private tutoring and 73% of them responded positively.
1. Number of children taking tutoring:
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
26.3% |
36.8% |
31.6% |
5.3% |
2. Age of children taking tutoring:
11-14
3. Do you/ have you sent your child to private tutoring?
| Yes | No |
73.7% |
26.3% |
Top Reasons for Sending Their Children to Private Tutoring
4. What are some of the reasons for sending your child to private tutoring?
Please select up to three reasons.
a. Seeking guidance with homework (11)
b. Examination preparation (10)
c. Child’s request (3)
d. Peer pressure (5)
e. Inability to provide support (1)
f. Making new friends (0)
g. Others (3)
Rating Their Child’s Performance from Private Tutoring
5. Please rate your child’s academic performance after receiving private tutoring.
| Better | No change | Worse | Don’t know |
63.1% |
5.3% 1 |
0% |
61.6% 6 |
Overall Sentiments for Sending Their Children to Private Tutoring
6. Overall, why do you see it necessary to send your child to private tutoring?
i) I feel pressurised if other parents are sending their child to private tutoring and I don’t.
Strongly Agree (1)
Agree (1)
Neutral (5)
Disagree (6)
Strongly Disagree (6)
ii) My children need support, either in specific subjects or overall.
Strongly Agree (3)
Agree (11)
Neutral (4)
Disagree (0)
Strongly Disagree (1)
iii) I want my child to be competitive.
Strongly Agree (2)
Agree (7)
Neutral (6)
Disagree (2)
Strongly Disagree (2)
iv) I do not see a need for private tutoring.
Strongly Agree (2)
Agree (1)
Neutral (11)
Disagree (5)
Strongly Disagree (0)
Teachers’ responses
22 teachers replied to our survey. Most of them agreed that private tutoring might help the students in grasping complex concepts and theories imparted during the regular curriculum especially for those who wished to do even better academically, and parents not being able to help them in their studies. 90% of them even reaffirmed through distinctive observation from their students who receive private tutoring, against those who do not.
Top Reasons of Their Students Attending Private Tutoring
1. In your opinion, why do you think parents send their child / children to private tutoring? Please select up to three reasons.
Overall Observation of Students’ Academic Performance after receiving Private Tutoring
2. Please rate your observation of your student’s academic performance after receiving private tutoring.
| Better | No Change | Worse | Don’t Know |
63.6% |
13.6% |
0% |
22.7% |
Overall Sentiments of Their Students Receiving Private Tutoring
3. Overall, do you encourage your students to receive private tutoring?
| Yes | No |
90.9% |
9.1% |
Tutors’ responses
Seven tutors responded to our survey, with most conducting private tutoring as a part-time “gig” while still undergoing their undergraduate studies now. Choosing to give tutoring gives them the autonomy of covering their living expenses, among other reasons such as the simple joy of sharing knowledge.
Breakdown of Students They are currently tutoring
1. How many students do you tutor?
Top Reasons for Students Attending Private Tutoring
2. What are some reasons your student(s) receive private tutoring?
Please select up to three reasons.
Overall Sentiments of Their Students Receiving Private Tutoring
3. Please rate your observation of your student’s academic performance after receiving private tutoring.
| Better |
100% |
Conclusion
Going for tutorial classes continues to be ranked as one of the highest options for participating in private tutoring. The introduction of online classes during COVID-19, and continues as part of the new normal, tied closely to the third highest-ranking option with having the visit their residences to conduct lessons, usually for at least one to two hours per week (41.22%) to more than six hours weekly (18.13%). Reasons for receiving private tutoring mostly range from prepping for examinations, seeking clarity for school homework to, not surprisingly, trying to fulfil their parents’ expectations. Such behaviour further reaffirms Hong Kong students’ desire to do well academically as part of a Confucian ethic. 
References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356465030_Bray_M_2009_Confronting_the_Shadow_Education_System_What_Government_Policies_for_What_Private_Tutoring_Paris_International_Institute_for_Educational_Planning_134_p_ISBN_978-92-803-1333-8
- https://educationpolicytalk.com/2014/04/19/widespread-culture-of-private-tutoring-in-hong-kong/
Special thanks to colleagues from YRC, and SSW who helped to collate new data for this article.