Nature and Factors Influencing High School Students and Parents’ Demands for Private Supplementary Tutoring in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research study is to explore the nature and demands of private supplementary tutoring at a selective school in Aktobe. Basing the arguments on literature review and qualitative research design, this work aims to identify the nature of private supplementary tutoring and the demands that drive high-school students and their parents to engage in private tutoring. Within the qualitative research study the following research question was addressed in order to fulfill the purpose of the study: What is the nature and factors that influence high school students and their parents for taking Private Supplementary Tutoring at a selective school in Aktobe, Kazakhstan? A qualitative semi-structured interview approach was used in the study to address the research question. The sample of the study included nine participants, five of whom were high school students and four parents, who were engaged in private supplementary tutoring as consumers. The maximal variation sampling technique was used to help select participants. The study revealed that the phenomenon of private supplementary tutoring is widely recognized in the research site. It also revealed that high stakes examinations, future career choice, teachers’ lack of time, high family expectations, and interaction with peers are the main factors that influence students and parents to refer to private tutoring. The main implication for further research is to conduct a quantitative research which will fulfill the gaps of this study and give more reliable results through conducting a survey among private tutoring users of this particular school.