Research by the AK shows that about half of the students in Austria have already used tutoring this school year. Parents of more than one in five children have to pay for external support. They spend 168 million euros on this, an average of 750 euros per child.
“We see that the need for tutoring is increasing,” says Elke Larcher, education expert at the Chamber of Labor. Even at primary school age, more and more children need help with learning. “Tutoring is no longer an exception,” says Larcher.
Shortages can often be met with free offers such as afternoon care or remedial courses; one of the reasons for the increase is the expansion of these options. In addition, the learning pressure has noticeably increased and the expectations of students and parents are higher.
But paid tutoring is also increasing. At 22 percent, this share is higher than ever before. 60 percent of parents also say they are noticeably financially burdened by tutoring, and almost half even have to cut back on other expenses as a result. An hour (50 minutes) of group lessons costs about 20 euros, a single lesson costs about 40 euros; prices can vary widely depending on the institute. Rates haven’t increased that much lately; one or two years ago there was a bigger price increase. Markus Kalina of Student Aid: “We are only implementing cautious price increases, the issue is very sensitive, money flows are tight for many people.” But Kalina does not see that many are now turning to the black market: “On the contrary. There is a lot of demand for group lessons, which are cheaper, and we also do that in the institutes.”
Mathematics remains an ‘eternal favourite’
Students most often need tutoring in math (73 percent), followed by foreign languages such as English or French, and third most in demand is tutoring in German. Less than 10 percent are studying natural sciences or business administration. About a third of students go to a learning institute and a third learn together with students. The rest goes to teachers who provide paid help or to older classmates. Online tutoring is also becoming increasingly popular: 7 percent are already learning virtually with a tutor. A lucrative niche for providers has already formed here.
If support is needed, it often takes longer. 40 percent of parents say their child has needed tutoring for more than a year. Shortages that have arisen in the long term can usually only be reduced in the long term. “There are no miracle cures,” Kalina emphasizes.
AK calls for more day schools
To reduce the learning pressure, the AK is once again calling for an expansion of the full-day offering and more support for financially burdened parents and offers for students during the holidays. “Without sufficient support, children from low-income families are left behind. Educational injustice must not be allowed to harden,” demands AK president Renate Anderl.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
