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http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090311-127686.html
He spends almost half his pay on son's tuition
He earns a monthly income of just over $2000, but is willing to spend almost half of it on his sons' tuition fees.
According to Zaobao columnist and part-time lecturer Huang Yi Cheng who was interviewed by reporters from Lianhe Wanbao, his 40-year-old colleague sought the help of a teacher to tutor his two sons, who are both in primary school, as he was worried that they were not able to cope with English.
Huang's colleague had heard that there was a teacher in his sons' school who was good at tutoring students and had a proven record of improving their grades.
The colleague hired the teacher to tutor his sons twice a week in English and Maths. Each lesson lasts for an hour and a half. A month's fee came up to about $960.
Mr Huang says: "This colleague of mine earns just over $2000 a month, and his wife is not working. In order to afford the tuition fees, he scrimps and saves. Sometimes, he brings leftovers to work for lunch."
His colleague was not willing to be interviewed, but through Mr Huang, the colleague said that he has noticed an improvement in his sons' English comprehension after a few months, and feels that the money spent is worth it.
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In the same article, reporters from Lianhe Wanbao also asked those working in the education field for their thoughts on teachers who work part-time as tutors.
Should teachers tutor students from the same school?
Tuition industry insider: "Even if the teacher doesn't blatantly leak answers to a test or exam, who knows what 'tips' he may give the student?"
Principal: "It goes against logic and I would strongly advise the teacher against it."
Teacher: "It doesn't say so in the teacher's handbook, but the more experienced teachers at school say it's better not to."
Where do teachers find the time to give tuition?
Tuition industry insider: The teachers I've interviewed are free after 3pm and during the weekends. But they could also concentrate on other responsibilities of their full-time job in their spare time.
Teacher: I only have time to teach one student, one session a week.
Principal: We do not want to interfere in the teacher's free time. As long as it doesn't interfere in his or her work, whether they rest or give tuition is fine.
Do teachers not earn enough? Why are their fees so high?
Tuition industry insider: Although they teach well, a teacher may not make a better tutor because they can't put in too much time and effort. And if their fees are too high, we won't be able to turn a profit. But parents prefer to look for tutors who are teachers, so with the demand, their fees will definitely be higher.
Principal: Whether the fees are considered 'high' is subjective.
He spends almost half his pay on son's tuition
He earns a monthly income of just over $2000, but is willing to spend almost half of it on his sons' tuition fees.
According to Zaobao columnist and part-time lecturer Huang Yi Cheng who was interviewed by reporters from Lianhe Wanbao, his 40-year-old colleague sought the help of a teacher to tutor his two sons, who are both in primary school, as he was worried that they were not able to cope with English.
Huang's colleague had heard that there was a teacher in his sons' school who was good at tutoring students and had a proven record of improving their grades.
The colleague hired the teacher to tutor his sons twice a week in English and Maths. Each lesson lasts for an hour and a half. A month's fee came up to about $960.
Mr Huang says: "This colleague of mine earns just over $2000 a month, and his wife is not working. In order to afford the tuition fees, he scrimps and saves. Sometimes, he brings leftovers to work for lunch."
His colleague was not willing to be interviewed, but through Mr Huang, the colleague said that he has noticed an improvement in his sons' English comprehension after a few months, and feels that the money spent is worth it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the same article, reporters from Lianhe Wanbao also asked those working in the education field for their thoughts on teachers who work part-time as tutors.
Should teachers tutor students from the same school?
Tuition industry insider: "Even if the teacher doesn't blatantly leak answers to a test or exam, who knows what 'tips' he may give the student?"
Principal: "It goes against logic and I would strongly advise the teacher against it."
Teacher: "It doesn't say so in the teacher's handbook, but the more experienced teachers at school say it's better not to."
Where do teachers find the time to give tuition?
Tuition industry insider: The teachers I've interviewed are free after 3pm and during the weekends. But they could also concentrate on other responsibilities of their full-time job in their spare time.
Teacher: I only have time to teach one student, one session a week.
Principal: We do not want to interfere in the teacher's free time. As long as it doesn't interfere in his or her work, whether they rest or give tuition is fine.
Do teachers not earn enough? Why are their fees so high?
Tuition industry insider: Although they teach well, a teacher may not make a better tutor because they can't put in too much time and effort. And if their fees are too high, we won't be able to turn a profit. But parents prefer to look for tutors who are teachers, so with the demand, their fees will definitely be higher.
Principal: Whether the fees are considered 'high' is subjective.
