Revisiting Cambodian Private Tutoring: Insights Into Teachers’ Professional Misconduct

Abstract

Cambodia uses a ‘discouragement’ strategy to manage teachers’ engagement in supplying private tutoring (PT). However, previous studies have criticised teachers’ professional misconduct in terms of promoting tutoring classes to ensure supplementary income. Currently, examination reforms alongside economic growth propose a new understanding of professional misconduct. Based on descriptive data from 93 students and in-depth interviews with 24 informants, who were tutees and their parents, tutors and school administrators respectively, this study found uncaring pedagogies to be a primary motivator for tutoring demand. This tended to have an association with the inadequate instructional time given to core examination subjects and implementation of the learner-based approach. Additionally, the examination reform brought positive changes in the teacher’s behaviour. Although this study’s findings are largely aligned with previous studies, it still sheds light on new perspectives regarding teachers’ professional misconduct in Cambodia.