Research Article

The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents' Perspectives

Volume: 55 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents' Perspectives

Abstract

Private tutoring is a way for parents to become involved. Parents of elementary school students play an active role in the private tutoring process. This study aims to examine the decision-making processes of elementary school parents regarding private tutoring within the framework of parentocracy. Data was collected through interviews with 51 parents of public-school students, most of whom had middle to high income levels. The data were analyzed following thematic analysis stages. The data analysis revealed that parents believe their children need private tutoring to support their education at school and to give them a competitive advantage in the national exams they will take in middle school. Parents stated that they feel good about being decision-makers in the private tutoring process because it makes them feel like they are doing something beneficial for their children and that they are in control of their children's learning process, but they also feel bad because of the responsibility that comes with monitoring the private tutoring process. They stated that if conditions such as reducing class sizes in formal education, providing one-on-one tutoring support in schools, allowing changes in classroom teachers, and eliminating national exams were met, they would no longer need private tutoring.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Bu araştırmada herhangi bir kurum, kuruluş ya da kişiden destek alınmamıştır

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırma, İstanbul Okan Üniversitesi Eğitim Araştırmaları Etik Kurulunun 03.04.2024 tarih, 176 sayılı kararıyla onay verilmiştir.

References

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  6. Bae (배상훈), S. H., & Choi (최기호), K. H. (2023). The cause of institutionalized private tutoring in Korea: Defective public schooling or a universal desire for family reproduction? ECNU Review of Education, 7(1), 12–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/20965311231182722
  7. Baker, D., Akiba, M., LeTendre, G., & Wiseman, A. (2001). Worldwide shadow education: Outside-school learning, institutional quality of schooling, and cross-national mathematics achievement. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 23(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737023001001
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education, Classroom Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

August 5, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 17, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 1

APA
Bülbül Hüner, S. (2026). The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(1), 545-574. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1757976
AMA
1.Bülbül Hüner S. The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(1):545-574. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1757976
Chicago
Bülbül Hüner, Sanem. 2026. “The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (1): 545-74. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1757976.
EndNote
Bülbül Hüner S (April 1, 2026) The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 1 545–574.
IEEE
[1]S. Bülbül Hüner, “The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 545–574, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.14812/cuefd.1757976.
ISNAD
Bülbül Hüner, Sanem. “The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/1 (April 1, 2026): 545-574. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1757976.
JAMA
1.Bülbül Hüner S. The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:545–574.
MLA
Bülbül Hüner, Sanem. “The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 545-74, doi:10.14812/cuefd.1757976.
Vancouver
1.Sanem Bülbül Hüner. The Phenomenon of Private Tutoring in the Shadow of Parentocracy: Primary School Parents’ Perspectives. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;55(1):545-74. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1757976

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