In the 1980s, the South Korean government issued a blanket prohibition on such private tutoring.

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Teachers, too, have enjoyed a rise in their salaries, with the result that the practice of private tutoring is on the decline.

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However, both measures do allow students in failing schools to switch to another public school after three years, or obtain federal dollars to use for private tutoring programs.

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Tutoring companies across the city have reported a frenzy since the NNAT was announced, with families signing children up for private tutoring sessions, enrolling them in multiweek boot camp classes, and buying test preparation booklets in droves even though the test won't be administered until January.

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These accounts, which also grow tax-free, can be used to cover not only college but also precollege expenses such as private school, tutoring or the purchase of a computer.

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These accounts, which also grow tax free, can be used to cover not only college but also precollege expenses such as private school, tutoring or the purchase of a computer.

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The money grows tax deferred and can be withdrawn tax free if used for "qualified educational expenses, " which include not just college but also private elementary and secondary tuition, tutoring and even a computer.

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Still, withdrawals are tax-free if used for any educational expense, including tutoring, computer purchases or private primary or high school.

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"Educating your children in the West used to be a fashion", says Dasha, who runs a tutoring agency in London that prepares Russian children for Western private schools.

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