Private tutoring costs rise despite economic slump

SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's spending on private education increased in 2008 despite a protracted economic downturn, reflecting parents' die-hard zeal for child education, a government report showed Friday.

According to the report by the National Statistical Office, the nation's private
tutoring expenses for elementary, middle and high school students totaled 20.9
trillion won (US$13.7 billion) last year, up 4.3 percent from a year earlier.
Parents spent a monthly average of 233,000 won per child on private education, up
5 percent from a year earlier, the report showed.
The increase came despite a deepening economic downturn in the wake of the global
financial turmoil that began in September. Average household income, adjusted for
inflation, declined 2.1 percent to 3.02 million won in the fourth quarter from a
year earlier.
The figures highlight South Korean parents' enthusiasm for education. Some
parents even take on an extra job to pay for their children's private institute
fees.
Dissatisfaction with the government's public education polices also turns them to
the private sector.They tend to opt for private education for their children,
mostly for subjects such as mathematics and English, regarded as important for
college-entrance exams.
According to the report, private spending on English and mathematics jumped,
driving the overall increase.
Spending on English education amounted to a monthly average of 76,000 won per
child last year, up 11.8 percent from a year earlier, while expenditure on math
grew 8.8 percent to 62,000 won over the same period, the report showed.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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