In Korea and in East Asia for that matter, there are private schools that trach most subjects taught in school. These schools are often referred to as cram schools. Not all of them fit this description of kids cramming to pass a test. They are actually centers of education that refine a student's knowledge in a certain topic with the main goal of passing some standardized test. These tests are so important. Students can see what their future job prospects will be depending on the scores they earn.
However, there is another side to these schools. They are MAINLY about profit. So class sizes are from 4 to as many as 12 or 15 students. In Gunsan it depended on how many they could fit in one classroom. I complained about this but was told to please "make it work". I "made it work" for years with great success. I know this because I was able to see the books.
How do so many fail though? One way is that the owners of the business treat the earnings like a debit card. They live a very expensive life style. I know this all too well after 18 years in Gunsan. Seeing owners of private schools soar...then crash. Another way many schools failed is that they only looked for "handsome" "white" faces. Not actual skill, charisma, or leadership skills along with teaching skills were sought after. It was appearance only, that was what mattered. I remember overhearing a group of white trachers talk about this. They had little to no ability to do the job. In fact, many of them didn't even treat it like a real job. Result? Parents looking for results got none. Students got bored, complaints added up then the teacher is fired as soon as they find a replacement. I know this from first hand experience. Two teachers named Eric comes to mind. Both were lazy, one was even a bully.
One other way that schools fail here in the private sector is they can not hold on to talent. This is perhaps the most important. Today teachers really have to show they can do the job. Or they are soon given notice. Some schoool owners simiply do not renew contracts. Once again I know this from frist hand experience, just last year this occured. You see when you know you can learn a schools system, and terach in the way they want you to you are valuable. If you can build a postive repore with students after only ONE class you are valuable. If students are excited when they arrive to your class...yes this is valuable to a business.
There is a good way to keep good talent. It is so simple. Profit sharing. If teachers knew they would get a quarterly or annual bonus they would go the extra mile to make sure the school does well. Many of these skilled teachers left very stable schools got married and set up their own schools. Often times the curriculm is the same one they learned at a previous school they work at.
I know profit sharing will never become widespread. Private schools here are often short lived. People run after quick profits, rather than building a solid business. One complaint I here the most from parents is "They changed teachers too often".
Of course there are other causes for these schools to fail. One is knowing when to move to school. Understanding the demographics of where you are situated, and how you can set your tution properly. I told all of this to my former boss in Gunsan. Did that person listen? Nope. Everytime we left business fell off, and she would invite us back. Business would go up, people would try to poach me to work for them. Then I would leave again and get "invited" back. Nah that chapter is closed. Iksan is working very well for us. India will too once this pandemic is under control.
Ok I gotta go!
/tata
