Paris (France), 28th and 29th October 2024
From October 28-29, 2024, OIDEL participated in UNESCO’s important forum, “Private Supplementary Tutoring: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue for Common Good”, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Organized by UNESCO’s Section of Education Policy in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Comparative Education at the University of Hong Kong and the International Centre for UNESCO ASPnet (ICUA), this event brought together global experts, policymakers, and education stakeholders to explore the expanding phenomenon of private supplementary tutoring.
Private tutoring is a widespread practice that offers both benefits and challenges. It provides students with additional support, helping those struggling academically to keep up and offering accelerated learning opportunities for high achievers. However, its rapid growth raises concerns about educational inequality, access, and the social and financial burden it places on families. The forum sought to raise awareness about the scale and impact of this phenomenon, while also proposing regulatory measures to ensure that the practice serves the common good.
OIDEL stressed that Private Supplemenetary Tutoring more tan a problema per se is the symptom of some bigger phenomenons, among them the decreese of quality, the lack of public funding for non-governmental schools. OIDEL contributed to the discussions with a particular focus on the intersection between education quality, equity, and family affordability.
Key policy recommendations proposed by OIDEL during the event include:
- Enhance Education Quality: By investing in the improvement of education systems—through hiring qualified teachers, updating curricula, and ensuring adequate resources—governments can reduce students’ dependence on private tutoring.
- Implement Comprehensive National Assessments: Regular, standardized assessments of student performance are essential for identifying educational gaps and tailoring solutions to meet students’ specific needs, thereby decreasing the need for external tutoring.
- Encourage Parental Involvement: Building a culture of trust and collaboration between parents, schools, and public authorities can significantly strengthen students’ learning experiences. Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s academic journey, and fostering this relationship can help reduce the reliance on supplementary tutoring.
Throughout the forum, participants discussed the global landscape of private tutoring, its diverse manifestations across regions, and the implications for educational policy. Breakout sessions focused on exploring solutions to bridge the knowledge, policy, and action gaps that perpetuate the need for private tutoring. The event concluded with a forum report and a policy brief, summarizing key insights and offering actionable recommendations for governments and education planners.