It is true that private tutoring helps student who are
falling behind as well as the ones who find it difficult to grasp information
as quick as others. In a sense, there are some advantages. However, do the
disadvantages out weigh the advantages? Does it really promote equality? What
about the people who can’t afford private tutoring? How much work does a tutor
do on behalf of their students? Should tuitions be prioritized over school?
These questions are becoming quite controversial!
The article, ‘What
is a 'fair' education, really?’ states, ‘‘Pupils
who receive extra tuition are often accused of having had an unfair leg-up” (Telegraph). A huge chunk of the students who receive private tutoring are not
falling behind, but are there to get ahead of schoolwork. This does not promote
equality, as tuition fees are expensive and not every family can afford
it.
The need of private tutors also
questions the quality of teaching that students are receiving at school. Why is private tutoring become so popular? Does private tutoring act as supplementary education due to lack of good teaching at
school? In my grade from my high school, 16 students received a 90+ ATAR. 14
students out of the 16 have received private tutoring. From experience, some of
my friends often prioritize tutoring over school due to the strict culture and
heavy workload. Often my friends’ disregard the content taught at school
and just place their focus on the curriculum at their tuition.
Furthermore, unethical things may occur
in private tutoring. Due to the high fees parents pay (up to $50 for one
lesson), there is huge pressure on tutors. Parents often expect and demand to
see results and see child progress. Although rare, some tutors may edit a
student’s English essay and completely change its original form. It then
becomes questionable about how much of work did is tutors, and how much work is
the students. This is highly unethical and creates a huge disadvantage for
those who don’t receive private tutoring.
"Research indicates that children from low-SES households and communities develop academic skills more slowly compared to children from higher SES groups" (Morgan, Farkas, Hillemeier, & Maczuga, 2009). Therefore, I believe tutoring should only be available to students who are doing appalling in school, otherwise it does not promote equality. If SES people are already falling behind, they are now competing against wealthier people who receive private tutoring. I firmly believe that there is a huge inequality and something should be done.
Reference
http://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-education.aspx
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