[Opinion] Reducing Private Education Costs to Revitalize Local Economies

According to data from Statistics Korea, the total amount spent on private education for elementary, middle, and high school students in South Korea increased by 7.9%, rising from 27.1 trillion won in 2023 to 29.2 trillion won in 2024. The average monthly private education expenditure per student also grew by 7.2%, from 553,000 won to 592,000 won. In addition, the proportion of students participating in private education increased from 78.5% to 80.0%.

Former Director of Education Bureau, Gyeongnam Office of Education, Sangkwon Kim.

Why is private education continuing to grow in this way?

First, it is due to the limitations of public education. If sufficient learning took place at school and students achieved good results in entrance exams, there would be no reason to rely on private education. However, many parents feel that school education alone is not enough. This reflects a lack of trust in public education.

Second, the competition-oriented entrance exam system fuels private education. Our education system emphasizes getting ahead of others rather than cooperation. Even elementary school students seek out private education out of anxiety about falling behind their peers. The current entrance exam system structurally reinforces this competition.

Third, parental expectations and ambitions also drive the demand for private education. According to one survey, parents hope their children will pursue professional careers such as doctors, judges, or lawyers, while children themselves dream of becoming athletes, YouTubers, composers, and other diverse professions.

So, what is the solution?

The answer is to strengthen public education. Schools must meet the needs of students and parents through self-directed learning, after-school programs, and supplementary classes.

However, if we suppress private education and focus solely on public education, the private education market will inevitably suffer significant damage. This is why we cannot simply blame private education. To mitigate this balloon effect, some functions of private education could be absorbed into public education through after-school programs, or public education budgets could be strategically allocated to private education. Stakeholders should form a "countermeasure committee" to discuss and develop practical and groundbreaking ways to reduce private education expenses.

Additionally, the college entrance system should shift away from competition and instead emphasize cooperation and growth.

When I served as a high school principal, I took responsibility for students' learning through supplementary classes and self-directed study at school, and students were able to achieve their dreams without relying on private education.

If we could cut private education expenses by even half, the enormous funds saved could be used to revitalize local economies. Restoring public education is not just an educational issue; it is also a way to boost the regional economy. Experienced teachers all know this: Academic achievement cannot be guaranteed by private education alone!

Former Director of Education Bureau, Gyeongnam Office of Education, Sangkwon Kim