High-Income Earners and Polarization of Private Education Expenses

Research Results on Basic Data of Child Education Status for Songpa Teacher Promotion... Monthly Household Income 6.01-7 Million KRW and Over 8.01 Million KRW Groups Show 50% and 39.9% Spending Under 300,000 KRW on Private Education Respectively; 38.9% Spending Over 510,000 KRW Shows Similar Levels to 53.3%

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) announced on the 6th that high-income earners in the area show a polarization phenomenon in the costs spent on private education.

Songpa-gu conducted a "Basic Data Study on the Current Status of Child Education for the Promotion of Songpa SSEM Education Project" targeting 400 parents with children aged 5 to 13 last November.

The study was planned to understand the characteristics of infants and children at the starting point of education for the successful implementation of Songpa-gu's own education model, Songpa SSEM (Songpa Smart Education Model).

According to the study results, the highest proportion of monthly private education expenses for the children of the survey respondents was 357,000 KRW or more at 35.7% (82 people). This was followed by ▲210,000~300,000 KRW at 16.5% (38 people) ▲410,000~500,000 KRW at 16.1% (37 people) ▲110,000~200,000 KRW at 13.9% (32 people) ▲310,000~400,000 KRW at 10.0% (23 people) ▲100,000 KRW or less at 7.8% (18 people).

In particular, the study focused on the relationship between income and private education expenses, as a significant relationship would imply the need for policy intervention to compensate for income disparities.

According to the study, for monthly household incomes of 6.01 to 7 million KRW and 8.01 million KRW or more, private education expenses of 300,000 KRW or less accounted for 50% and 39.9%, respectively. The proportions of those spending 510,000 KRW or more were similar at 38.9% and 53.3%.

The study analyzed that high-income earners show a "polarization" phenomenon in private education expenses.

However, the higher the monthly household income, the relatively higher the private education expenses. For monthly household incomes of 2.01 to 3 million KRW, the most common expense was 210,000~300,000 KRW at 35.7%.

For incomes of 3.01~4 million KRW, 4.01~5 million KRW, 5.1~6 million KRW, 6.01~7 million KRW, 7.01~8 million KRW, and 8.01 million KRW or more, the highest proportion was those spending 510,000 KRW or more, at 23.3%, 36.2%, 38.3%, 38.9%, 50.0%, and 53.3%, respectively.

The study conducted a chi-square test to examine whether there was a difference in private education expenses according to the income level of the respondents and explained that the results did not show statistically significant differences.

This was analyzed to be because many households with high income levels (6.01 million KRW or more) spend 300,000 KRW or less on private education.

It was also predicted that if public education can be supplemented, there would be no need to spend a lot on private education. Furthermore, policies should be implemented to ensure that there is no difference in educational satisfaction according to income levels.

The study emphasized the need for ▲income-tailored policies considering various income distributions and ▲policies to compensate for educational opportunity disadvantages for children from low-income families.

Additionally, Songpa-gu aims to establish a proper educational culture and nurture happy learners through the "Songpa SSEM Parent Education Activists." Applications are being accepted until the 7th from 100 local residents including parents, community members, and women with career interruptions. Applications, including a resume and self-introduction, can be submitted by mail (Songpa-gu Office Education Cooperation Division) or email (201108026@songpa.go.kr). More detailed recruitment announcements can be found on the Songpa-gu Office website.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, "We will identify and reflect the demands of education consumers through research for the operation of Songpa SSEM," and added, "We will implement smart education policies to foster creative and excellent talents in Songpa."

◇Chi-square test: A verification method used to test whether the observed frequency significantly differs from the expected frequency.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.