This year-long longitudinal narrative inquiry examines how an underprivileged secondary school student in Hong Kong used shadow education (i.e., private tutoring) to address social and educational inequalities. Utilising Norton’s concept of investment, the study explores the intricate relationship between learner identities and a high-stakes assessment environment. Data collection methods included reflective writing, six rounds of interviews, and classroom observations. The findings demonstrate how the student strategically leveraged tutoring to achieve academic success, broaden her social network, and enhance her self-esteem. This case highlights the dual role of private tutoring: it offers benefits in tackling educational disparities but remains largely inaccessible to many disadvantaged students. The research underscores the necessity for policy interventions that can bridge this accessibility gap. Recommendations include implementing government subsidies to make tutoring more affordable and developing fee-free supplementary educational services to support underprivileged students. These measures could help level the educational playing field, providing all students with the opportunity to benefit from additional academic support. Furthermore, the study suggests the need for continued exploration into the tutoring experiences of disadvantaged students, particularly in affluent societies, to better understand the broader implications and potential solutions for educational inequality. By highlighting these experiences, the research aims to inform educators, policymakers, and stakeholders on effective strategies to promote equitable access to educational resources and opportunities.

Authors:
Kevin Yung, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Kevin Yung is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark

---

A Note to Presenters

To enhance academic profiles and showcase research, we encourage all presenters and co-presenters to include links to their public LinkedIn, ResearchGate profile, and research websites. Presenters may update their bio for their presentation by completing the form linked below by October 22, 2024.
- Presenter Information Update Form
Submitted changes will be reflected on November 01, 2024

Additionally, presenters should also update their IAFOR account details if there have been any changes to affiliations or biographies.
- https://submit.iafor.org/my-account/edit-account