What gives Hong Kong’s celebrity tutors their cult status? It is the city’s education system
Everywhere in Hong Kong we see the flashy advertisements for local tutorial centres, in newspapers, on the side of buses and on billboards. Young, attractive, well-dressed tutors are presented as possessing somewhat magical powers originating from their professional knowledge and admirable credentials. They promise to change the fate of all students for the better in the cutthroat race for success in exams, altering their future academic and professional trajectories.
This appeals to the emotional insecurities of both students and parents. The tutorial centres focus on guaranteeing the maximum return on investment, which fits the quick-fix, short-cut, results-oriented mentality of local students.
Watch: Celebrity tutors earn millions in Hong Kong
The trend of star tutors will continue as long as the local high-pressure education system continues to place a huge emphasis in the role of public examination results on students’ academic and career prospects.
Adrian Lam, Kornhill