The Effect of After-School Classes on Private Tuition, Mental Health and Academic Outcomes: Evidence from Korea

Abstract

Using a natural experiment from South Korea’s high school equalisation policy area, we show that school-provided after-school classes reduce students’ time spent in private tuition and the associated household expenditure, as well as increase their likelihood of college attendance. Though high and low income groups use a different mix of unassisted study and private tuition to substitute for after-school class, both consume less private tuition as after-school class hours increase. Importantly, the likelihood of college attendance improves similarly for both high and low income groups. The findings suggest a role for after-school classes in improving the academic outcomes of students and reducing demand for private tuition, but their utility in reducing outcome inequality is less certain.