Tax From Tutorial Schools Should Be Used To Improve Normal Schools In Thailand

[webfact]

CHALK TALK

Tax from tutorial schools should be used to improve normal schools

By Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation

Tutoring has been an important part of student life for nearly 30 years. It started with free tutoring from high school and university students, ahead of the annual entrance examinations.

The success rate encouraged parents of younger students to seek their help. Some university students later grouped together to offer the service for a fee. Seeing the bright commercial prospects, some entrepreneurs set up private schools and put the student tutors on the payroll. To add credibility, teachers were approached, and that was the start of the boom times for cram schools.

It is not surprising that in Bangkok alone, there are 2,700 tutorial schools. According to Finance Ministry data, as the schools are not subject to taxation, only 1,000 are registered, though some net profits of Bt1 billion or more.

To put it frankly, these preparatory schools are in business because of the lucrative demand from students and their parents.

Since the number of accredited schools and universities is not increasing to match the demand, competition to get into them is getting fiercer. And, those who can afford it agree to pay anything for a better chance for their kids.

Nowadays, even tots are taking tutorial classes to enrol into an acclaimed kindergarten. Then, tutoring is necessary to get into a top primary school, then high school, and then university. As universities move to direct entrance examinations for certain faculties, students have to seek special advice. University graduates also need help when they want to pursue further studies overseas.

During the year, weekly tutoring is necessary to keep up good grades. Parents feel comfortable having these schools around. A mother of a fiveyearold is pleased to pay Bt1,000 a month so that her kid can spend the weekend with teachers expected to teach him how to write.

Many students attend tutorial schools just to get out of the home on weekends, as these schools are usually located in shopping areas.

Many students can't get enough from their conventional classes so they pin their hopes on tutorial schools giving them tips to score high on the tests of some major subjects.

It has to be admitted that some tutorial teachers are committed to offering something unique to their classes, in return for tuition. For example, an English textbook contains just lessons, so it is better for students to know the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. A tutorial teacher comes up with the list and explains extensively how to use the verbs. This is a special treat for students, as they do not have to do any research on this.

Some schools go to great length to predict the questions in the next examinations. As time passes, students pay less attention in class, knowing that they can ignore conventional teachers as long as they attend tutorial schools and maintain good grades. This only boosts the charm of tutorial schools and draws more traffic to them.

Taxing tutorial centres would indeed generate income for the government to finance investment projects, but the cost would be passed on to students and their parents. Those who can afford it would shrug off the increases, but many would need to struggle more and some could be deprived of special tutoring. Since the business is a cash cow, the tax initiative should win a degree of support. But wouldn't it be better if this extra tax money was earmarked to improve the quality of the conventional school system? When everyone is confident of the quality, the demand for special instruction would fall. Only then can we ensure fair education for all.

-- The Nation 2011-01-31

[SICHONSTEVE]

I'm all for taxing these schools to benefit normal private schools such as kindergartens, as if improvements can be made to their educational standards at a young age - just as they are starting out on their 'educational journey', then this must be a worthwhile thing and will lessen the need for these "cash cow" institutions that are springing up throughout the country.

I have to come clean on this: my wife and I are private kindergarten school owners and we are in favour of redistribution of wealth - in our direction!!!!