Exploring Pricing and Legal Issues in the Tutoring Industry

Exploring Pricing and Legal Issues in the Tutoring Industry

Question from a reader:
I am working as a tutor, but I am wondering if it makes sense to pay high fees when I feel that the educational planner is doing nothing, especially since the fee for a household with an hourly rate of 2970 yen is 8580 yen charged by Torai. In another household with an hourly rate of 4180
yen, Torai charges 15400 yen, yet it also seems like nothing is being done. I am worried that the intermediary margin is too high; does this fall under the “Freelance Protection Law” regarding “buying low”? Furthermore, are there any other potential legal violations?

Reality of the Tutoring Industry and Legal Perspectives

Hello! Today, I would like to discuss an interesting question raised by someone working as a tutor. Specifically, it’s about the concerns of those who feel that the costs of tutoring are high relative to the actual support provided. This issue also involves legal perspectives, so I want to consider it carefully.

The Gap Between High Charges and Actual Services

First, let’s delve into what the amounts mentioned by the questioner mean: 8580 yen charged by Torai for a household with an hourly rate of 2970 yen, and 15400 yen for a household with an hourly rate of 4180 yen. The services provided by tutors certainly have educational value. However, if the amount charged does not balance with the quality of service received, it’s understandable for families to have doubts. I have had similar experiences myself. There was a time when I hired a tutor for a friend’s child, and during the third lesson, I found myself thinking, “Was this really necessary?” In the end, he was spending a lot on a single lesson, but the content was disappointing. Such issues can be troubling for parents as well.

The High Intermediary Margin and Its Impact

Now, the issue at hand is the intermediary margin. It is understandable why educational planners and tutoring agencies exist. They play a role in connecting teachers with families and are necessary for establishing a support system. However, it’s not just the questioner who feels that this margin is unreasonably high. Looking at the typical structure of the tutoring industry, agencies often profit by taking a certain percentage from the teacher’s compensation. This is what is referred to as the “high intermediary margin.” For instance, if 8580 yen is charged to a household with an hourly rate of 2970 yen, then the remaining 5510 yen is the agency’s share. In such a situation, it’s natural to wonder, “Why is it so high?” If this margin is excessively high, it could potentially be considered as “buying low.”

The Freelance Protection Law and “Buying Low”

Now, let’s touch on the Freelance Protection Law. This law was enacted to protect the rights of those working as freelancers. The concept of “buying low” specifically refers to situations where workers do not receive fair compensation. In the case of the questioner, the focus is on whether the tutors are receiving fair compensation. If the compensation for tutors is set significantly lower than the market rate and appropriate services are not being provided in return, it may be possible to raise an issue based on this law. However, it is important to be cautious about what the “low” standard is based on. Compensation can vary widely depending on the region and industry, so it cannot be simply categorized as “high” or “low.” Therefore, it is crucial to gather specific examples and research the market rate.

Other Possible Legal Violations

In addition to the Freelance Protection Law, there are other potential legal violations to consider. For example, labor standards law and consumer contract law may apply. In particular, unfair representations or misleading advertisements based on consumer contract law require attention. If a tutoring agency claims to provide “high-quality education” but fails to deliver, there could be legal issues. Moreover, if services are not provided according to the contract and this is not explicitly stated, there may be grounds to assert consumer rights. In such cases, keeping records of specific contracts and communications can serve as evidence later on.

How to Communicate Your Claims

If you are facing such issues, it is important to first organize your thoughts clearly. Summarizing what you expected and what was actually provided, along with the gap between them, can be helpful. Based on this, you may be able to communicate your opinions and questions to the agency, potentially prompting improvements. Additionally, sharing information with others who have had similar experiences through social media can be a useful strategy. If opinions gather, it may be possible to collectively demand improvements from the agency.

Conclusion

Considering the structure of the tutoring industry and legal perspectives, we can see why many people feel that costs are “high.” The complexities of high intermediary margins, the Freelance Protection Law, and consumer contract law highlight the multifaceted nature of this issue. If you are in a position to utilize tutoring services, it is crucial to understand your rights and to speak up if necessary. Likewise, for those working as tutors, I hope you continue to recognize your value and strive to receive fair compensation. To resolve this issue, all parties involved must collaborate and work towards creating a better educational environment. I hope your voice leads to a brighter future!