The numbers are staggering: the number of high school students in Ukraine with tutors has been revealed
The growing need for private tutors among Ukrainian students is a matter of serious concern and is one of the key indicators of the quality of education in the country. When half of high school students need additional classes outside of the school curriculum, it indicates systemic problems in the educational system that does not provide the necessary level of knowledge for successful admission to higher education institutions. Parents looking for individual teachers for their children are actually compensating for the shortcomings of the state education system, which calls into question its effectiveness and ability to meet modern challenges.
According to the latest sociological research ‘Reform of Specialised Secondary Education’ conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, 50% of students in grades 10-11 use tutoring services to improve their knowledge. This is an impressive figure, indicating a significant demand for additional educational support outside of school.
Among the main reasons why students turn to tutors, 43% of students cited insufficient schooling that does not allow them to achieve the necessary results to enter universities. This situation demonstrates a problem that has long been discussed in educational circles: the school system is not coping with the task of preparing graduates for further study in higher education.
In addition, 7% of high school students are tutored by their parents, who believe that the level of education at school does not meet the requirements of modern education. This indicates a lack of trust in the general secondary education system and the desire of parents to provide their children with competitive knowledge, even with the help of private tutors. The question arises: doesn’t this indicate a general underfunding of schools and insufficient attention to the quality of education?
In parallel with the problem of tutoring, there are discussions about the reform of secondary education in Ukraine, which involves extending the duration of education to 12 years. This initiative has also caused controversial reactions among parents and students. For example, 59% of parents of students in grades 5-6 opposed the introduction of a 12-year education system. Their argument is that an extra year at school does not guarantee an improvement in the quality of education, but only delays young people’s entry into the labour market or higher education. Only 29% of parents surveyed supported the reform, while 25% strongly opposed it, and another 34% rather did not support the initiative.
Interestingly, high school students were also divided into two camps on this issue. Only 24% of students in grades 10-11 are positive about the increase in the duration of schooling from 2027, as envisaged by the high school reform. At the same time, 22% of students are negative about this change, and the majority – 54% – have not yet decided on their attitude to the prospect of 12 years of education.
Overall, the modern Ukrainian education system faces a number of challenges that need to be addressed immediately. The growing demand for tutors signals that students and their parents do not believe that schools can provide the necessary knowledge for a successful future. This situation calls for a comprehensive reform that should focus not only on quantitative changes, such as extending the duration of schooling, but also on qualitative improvements in teaching methods, teacher training and curriculum modernisation.
