Asian parents spending billions on tutors

Lifestyle Jul. 07, 2012 - 05:32AM JST ( 29 )

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29 Comments

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illsayitJul. 06, 2012 - 06:15AM JST

Is tutoring more lucrative for the teacher? I think scrap the public system, get rid of educational taxes and use tutoring full-time a better solution.People then have a choice as to what their monies go on, on what their prefernce of education be. Of course a certain public system would be needed to be kept. But seeing that this is the trend, and with today's technology, I think it should be embraced, whilst not having to give up the situation of time, and lack of it-just cut day school out.
0

gaijinfoJul. 06, 2012 - 06:44AM JST

the practice is growing despite doubts over its effectiveness

This assumes, of course, that the only purpose of tutoring is to get better grades/education/career etc.

But what if a large reason behind the tutoring is for the parents to show off to their neighbors what great parents they are?

One only has to look at the tutors themselves. Do they advertised based on the results they get? Or do they get business based on their existing clientele, or reputation?
-3

JeffLeeJul. 06, 2012 - 06:47AM JST

Another reason why I would never raise a kid in Japan or elsewhere in Asia.
10

iceshoecreamJul. 06, 2012 - 07:04AM JST

My thinking, the whole juku system (cram school, tutors) shows that sending kids to school is pointless and that kids CANNOT study on their own. It'll get the student used to "I cannot comprehend this on my own so I need help". Then they turn into adults and well, do the math.
12

borschtJul. 06, 2012 - 07:40AM JST

well, do the math

I can't. My tutor isn't here right now.
2

Ronald F StarkJul. 06, 2012 - 07:49AM JST

As long as the Japanese school system at all levels remains focused on "passing entrance exams" versus producing functional young adults with the skills need to succeed in careers and life in general, nothing will change! My children are both in Japanese schools and so far I am pleased with the quality of what they are learning (elementary level). I know that at some point in time they will be steered into that midset of "you must pass tests for everything in life" and the study direction will change. I do see schools wasting a great deal of time on endless Undokai (sports days), open lessons (so parents can come watch a class on Saturday), and other activities that I never had in America. The education process does not seem well-rounded.
3

kiboushaJul. 06, 2012 - 08:49AM JST

IMHO, sending your kid to private tutor is like admitting that you're either lazy, stupid, or just couldn't care less. I mean seriously, how hard can elementary level math, science, history be ? Heck, how hard can high school be ? They don't do particle physics, they don't develop Operating System software from scratch, they don't pass laws, they are learning basic stuffs that you're supposed to have learned as well.
1

borschtJul. 06, 2012 - 09:08AM JST

kibousha,

Parents who send their kids to tutors (jukus or what have you) are neither lazy, stupid, nor couldn't care less. They're trying to give their kids the best shot at passing the best high school or university's entrance test. They're trying to have their kids keep up with all the other kids who have juku or tutors.

The real problem is that so many people (including teachers) don't think public schools are 'enough.' The classes are too big for tailored education, the teachers are too busy with non-academic obligations. The student who can't keep up is SOL. Tutors can, if experienced, help those students. And give gifted students advice on how to do even better on tests.

If the public schools could teach all the students to their ability, jukus would probably fade away but given the competitive nature of some parents, I doubt it.
-1
In_japanJul. 06, 2012 - 09:55AM JST
1. Title is so Racist.
2. What is the problem in spending money for private tuition?
3. How about other continents?
4. So what is the conclusion; is it good or bad?
Personally, I prefer private tuition for 1.5 hrs max and do not assist student in home-work (that's a waste of parents money), instead teach those chapters that will help students to finish their home work. The most important thing is let your kid play for at least 1hr.
1

illsayitJul. 06, 2012 - 11:28AM JST

iceshoecream-so that's what public school is about-follow the crowd logic, can't constructively think alone. I also dont agree with the terms gifted and or slow-learners. There is just, education. perhaps using a tutor the parents envision that their child isnt restricted to set curriculum by your govt dept. Perhaps there is a lot more that can be taught when taken out of the sitaution of govt controlled classrooms, meaning prescribed curriculum. That can be said for any country, Asia on a whole, but also anywhere else, Europe, America, anywhere. Using a tutor means that the tutor has arranged a curriculum based on the topic or subject that you hire them for. The parent chooses what they use a tutor for, it doesnt mean they choose it for all subjects, but certain subjects that the parent feels is good for the child, whether that be to improve an area, to deepen an area, or to just enjoy an area of interest. Education anybody can do given the right environment, that includes outside time, creative time and any other sort of education you can think of. Are we as adults knowledgeable in everything thing that is out there to learn?? I don't think so. Education is about lighting a fire of interest in study. If tutoring feeds that fire then it can't be a bad thing, what I find that quelches the thirst for learning is a public system that as so many of your comments point out, and as this article highlights, is not satisfactory. Trying to make an education system into one mold to me is the worst form of propaganda, and which obviously so many people have bought into, and not only bought into have stepped over the line into judgemental hypocrites.
1

illsayitJul. 06, 2012 - 11:35AM JST

The only thing I can say about 'spending millions' is that personally I think Asian families could spend some of that money on making their home asn educational environment rather than just dumping it all into a tutor where once the term is over you have nothing left to hold and treasure about the learning-like in some countries where textbooks are to returned to the school, I like how in Japan textboos are yours to keep. Anytime you want to go back and check something out, like for example check dates, you cant.
0

jforceJul. 06, 2012 - 12:15PM JST

Public Education is somewhat outdated. I support education in all facets, and I think that private education seems to be the better of the two. I'll agree with @ilsayit: that getting rid of this institution altogether and embracing tutors and technology is positive and practical. Public education provides a lot of good things socially, but what we actually learn on a mass scale is not embraced by all and is definitely not retained. How much irrelevant info did public schools plug into your brains when you could have been focusing on topics that stimulate the individual. I think a lot of these teachers in public schools are just going through the motions most of the time, too. Not to mention, the amount of holidays kids have in Western schools are far too much for any modern family. Education has to be flexible and on schedule with working parents. With private education and tutoring I see a harmony with the family's needs.
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cornbread1Jul. 06, 2012 - 12:32PM JST

I am all for extra learning, but not at the expense of other important activities such as the arts and athletics. And another point, I would be adamantly opposed to extra "learning" if they come in the form of jukus, or cram schools, whose modus operandi is solely teaching techniques to pass college entrance examinations.

I hope out here in Asia, we could have discussions on nurturing creativity and character as is done elsewhere now that the whole issue of formal education is coming into question.
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bogvaJul. 06, 2012 - 01:22PM JST

borscht, spot on! As said in the article but trough my view - why in first place the education system is so low level? The thing is that if you want your kid to go to private or better public school you have to put it in juko. Or some schools are so BS that you better put your kid in juko.

Its not like back in the time I was kid - the kids that couldn't cope with the material would go to private tutors. Here as a whole the system of cram schools have deep roots and will not change easy.
0

bogvaJul. 06, 2012 - 01:29PM JST

I know some kids in my daughter's class who started juko early in elementary school were so bored that actually they didn't want to go to normal school. Also private schools curriculum is so ahead of the public schools (that also don't have common curriculum) that in juko kids are thought things well ahead of their class (age).

As a whole it takes double time for the kids and as noticed no time for sports and other activities. Sadly knowing where we live no change is feasible in near future.
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kiboushaJul. 06, 2012 - 01:45PM JST

Borscht, I fully agree in respect to juku.

The system of "schools/universities using exams to filter out students" is a very bad and lazy system. They see students as "test score", not individual human being with visions, dreams, talents, etc. In the old days, master - apprentice relationship was very close, a master will not accept students without knowing them personally. In today's world, it is not possible to get to know every student on a personal level before accepting them at a university/school, but surely there are better ways than exams ? I can think of a few solution but discussions would be too long, and "professional educators" would thing I'm crazy.
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tmarieJul. 06, 2012 - 02:38PM JST

So rather than demanding their governments change their education systems and make them better, they just hand over cash. Juku classes are often taught by... uni students. Pretty sad that parents are paying more for this.

Which came first, the crappy education system or the jukus? Get rid of jukus, improve the education system, get rid of the insane tests they have here and actually have students LEARN things, not cram for stupid tests that prove nothing.
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Thunderbird2Jul. 06, 2012 - 05:16PM JST

My ex's son goes to extra classes at the weekend... I think there are either 3 or 4 in his class. I think it's Maths mostly. I did a TEFL course and offered to help him with his English but... he's a Japanese teenager, lol.

I think if she wants to get her son into a good uni then fair enough. I'm not going to criticise her for that... besides, he also wants to go to uni, so it really is his choice as well.
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danalawton1@yahoo.comJul. 06, 2012 - 11:59PM JST

Anything in excess is generally BAD but don't think about it.
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cleoJul. 07, 2012 - 12:12AM JST

I agree with kibousha - seriously, how hard can elementary level math, science, history be ? Heck, how hard can high school be ? If you really cannot help your child with his schoolwork, then you have a bigger problem than how much it costs to send him to juku. If you cannot manage high school studies yourself, how on earth are you earning enough to be able to afford to pay for extra tuition?
0

serendipitousJul. 07, 2012 - 12:21AM JST

I cringe when I walk past the jukus near my home at 10pm and see kids still there. Such places really shouldn't be necessary but they 'are' because that's the system here in Japan. That's what everyone does. It's like keeping up with the Joneses. Complex mathematics or knowing what year King So-and-so of Somewhere-or-other died are useless things to know unless they want to become juku teachers or professors. Kids need to learn about taxes and death and life. By death, I mean what to do if their parents die and what a will is etc. By life, I mean more geography, more about people and more about how to interact with people (not just keyboards and screens). By taxes, I mean how the system works and what the options are. Kids also need to be climbing trees and helping old people and enjoying themselves. No wonder so many don't know what they want to do or how they can do what they think they might want to do.
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KabukiloverJul. 07, 2012 - 09:58AM JST

I basically agree with borscht but do need to add a few things.

The mania for tutors points more to something drastically wrong with the system of examinations more than it does with problems of schools and teachers per se.

One thing about jukus and tutors that is not often said: they teach their students how to outsmart the examination. There are ways to psyche out exams and to work exams.

Another thing is that the problem of public schools is not only the lack of personal attention but also a matter of time--the human limits to how teachers and staff can spend in school. It is not true Jukus can replace regular schools. They are additions, not alternatives. Rightly, jukus are called cram schools (and tutors might as well be called crammers) because they cram students with extra information after they have been crammed in their regular schools. Passing entrance exams is matter of being crammed up to the minute with useful information, including what to expect and how to deal with it.

Also be aware that in Japan the so-called general course (university-oriented) schools put a lot of pressure on teachers make their pupils achieve high scores.

The entrance examination system is fine for people who will spend their lives in cubicals following someone else's orders. It is not the best system for nurturing independent minds. Japan is a place where everything works on time until there is a crisis. Then no one knows what to do because the examination-oriented system has never taught people how to think outside the box, among other things.

It is true that money plays an important role in see who is the best crammed. But locality is also important. The cities offer better schools than the provinces (generally). And within cities, certain districts certain public schools are considered higher rated than others.

In sum. The entrance examination system sucks. It is essentially the product of social oppression.
2

TamaramaJul. 07, 2012 - 10:07AM JST

I guarantee it's not just in Asia. I currently work at a very good private school in Australia. The school has a high portion of Asian students from all over the region and their application to their studies is fantastic. Their parents value success in education and have instilled this value in their kids, so quite often both the parents and the kids seek tutors to augment their education. I have a huge amount of respect for the Asian kids. They are focused, disciplined, have wonderful self control, and for the mostpart are very respectful. As a rule they are very successful at High School. Now, you might level all kinds of judgements against that, but it's a formula that puts them at a distinct advantage in that setting over their less focused, more individualistic, more peer - pressure susceptible contemporaries. Who one day probably end up working for them. If they can cut it.
0

KabukiloverJul. 07, 2012 - 10:10AM JST

OOOps! Posted too soon by mistake. Pardon the typos. ****
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FarmboyJul. 07, 2012 - 10:18AM JST

Good tutors are a great help. I don't see any problem with it, and in many cases, the help isn't remedial, but extends the range of the student in a way that the public schools may not be able to do.
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tmarieJul. 07, 2012 - 03:07PM JST

Cleo, that's just it. If parents are supposed to be raising their kids, why are they spending money on things they can do themselves? I don't get it - more so when many of the parents aren't working. Save money, spend time with your kids, help with their education....
0

Christina O'NeillJul. 07, 2012 - 10:39PM JST

Other side of the coin, my daughter is a self employed grinds tutor. Her rates are affordable, in some cases free, where a student needs help , but the family does not have the financial resources to afford private tuition.Her success rate for her clients is 99 percent. Special needs clients show a significant improvement, Educational qualifications have been demanded at a much higher level by employers at present then the accademic results of 30 years ago. Appreticeships, which in the past were awarded to prospective participants upon their ability and interest to learn their trade on site, now require a substantial leaving certificate. Clients seek out my daughters services where one to one tuition becomes vital in achieving their goals, so Asian children are not alone in their need to be assisted. Some students for various reasons are unable to study in a classroom environment, hence the assistance of a qualified tutor is invaluable. No doubt the parents investment in their childs success with accademic achievement, is money well spent
0

JoshuYakiJul. 07, 2012 - 10:52PM JST

I feel really bad for the "under performing" students. I was an under performer in the Canadian school system and I got chewed up through the process. I heard that the Japanese / Korean school system has a far lower tolerance for anythign but academic excellence. Then to go home and have your panicking parent rush you off to some useless school to get the same treatment. It must just drain your spirit out of you. I had tutors when I was young. Some were lovely and others were usless. One guy would just do my homework for me. heheheh
2

hatsoffJul. 07, 2012 - 11:45PM JST

Once upon a time a Bachelor's degree was enough, but now that more people have put themselves through university a Master's often seems the baseline. And here in Japan it's not the fact you've been to university that counts, it's the name of the university you went to, regardless of how slack you were once you got there.

It's not about creative intelligence anymore; it's about fitting the mould. Think of all those creatively intelligent people who didn't fit the mould: Soichiro Honda (only graduated JHS and worked in his father's bicycle shop), Konosuke Matsushita (founded Panasonic) whose formal education ended at age 9, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson.

How would Soichiro Honda or Matsushita make ' the grade ' these days? I'm not sure they would.