Nearly one in three secondary school students in Flanders received private tutoring last year, according to a survey by the Flemish Students’ Union, as reported by De Standaard on Monday.
The survey, which included 7,500 young people, found that a significant number turned to free tutoring services, while one in eight students (12%) paid for private lessons.
The Flemish Students’ Union voiced concerns about this trend. Six in ten students (62%) sought lessons outside school hours due to difficulties understanding course material.
Concerningly, 40% said classroom instruction was insufficient. Other reasons for seeking tutoring included aiming for higher grades, illness, and fear of failure (28%).
"There is a risk that parental financial resources will determine who gets extra opportunities and who is left behind," Gabriel Leka, the union’s president, warned in the interview.
He also questioned the quality of available tutoring options and called for a stronger emphasis on effective teaching in schools.
Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) responded by stating, "Everyone is free to seek tutoring. However, we must ensure that private lessons do not become a prerequisite for a successful school career."
