The Rise of Private Tutoring in Denmark: An Entrepreneur's Perspectives and Experiences. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kany, Nicklas
• Other Names: Christensen Søren guest-editor.; Zhang (张薇) Wei guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: ECNU review of education. Volume 4:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 630
• Page End: 639
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: COVID-19 crisis -- Denmark -- MentorDanmark -- mentoring -- private tutoring; Education -- China -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 370.951
• DOI: 10.1177/20965311211038560
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2096-5311

Abstract

This article sheds light on the emergence of private tutoring in Denmark. Written from the perspective of a tutoring entrepreneur, it discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by a fledgling tutoring company in present-day Danish society. The article is a personal narrative of the author's experience with establishing the first major Danish tutoring company. The enthusiastic response by parents to the services offered by the author's company shows that there has long existed a hitherto unmet need for private tutoring in Denmark. However, the author also argues that the political turmoil surrounding the 2013 Danish school reform made parents increasingly sceptical that mainstream schools could effectively address the needs of their children. It thereby prepared the ground for launching a private tutoring concept. It is only in the last decade that private tutoring has emerged in Denmark. The article provides a unique insider's perspective on this largely unexplored development.