This is the nation where 70% parents send their kids for tuition. Here tutors make millions while many of them are no less than a celebrity. Tuition centres generate revenue in billions just like any big industry.

That’s how tuition industry is booming in Singapore. Tuition centres are no longer second fiddle to the schools or something that are confined to homes. Instead, they have gone beyond their traditional identity to become a brand. Many tuition centres in Singapore have flashy outlets at upscale malls. Even MOE teachers are giving up their jobs to become tutors.

And it takes tuition industry nearly twenty years to achieve this status. According to the Department of Statistics, the tuition industry was 470m$ in 1998.

In 2005, it was a $650 million dollar industry, nearly 200 up from 1998. By 2018, the industry touched SGD$1.1 billionmark.

Besides, the nation experienced mushroom growth of private coaching institutions, which were nearly 850 in 2015, up from 700 in 2012. Surprisingly, there were only 100 registered tuition centres in 1998. Today, there are over 30,000 private tutors in Singapore who offer some form of coaching.

Things Behind This Great Singaporean Tuition Boom.

The startling growth of tuition centres in Singapore is fanned by numerous factors such as…

• Highly Competitive Environment:

Education has literally transformed into competition. Parents are comparing their kid’s result with those of their peers. Then, students have to face competition from foreign students who make up 8% of the total school population in Singapore. Top of that, school teachers want to keep their class exam results better. The expectations from both parents and teachers have prompted students to seek extra assistance.

• Tough School Syllabus:

Singapore has the most highly regarded education system in the world. But it is also termed as a “pressure cooker” due to tough school curriculum. For example, complex subjects like philosophy and economics are introduced to the students at the entry level in IB curriculum. The A-Level mathematics is more difficult than those of other nations. PSLE and other entrance exams in the nation are not that easy to crack.

• Kiasu, the FEAR Factor:

Singaporeans have one thing in common—the fear of lagging behind or losing. This phenomenon is known as kiasu. This fear grips both parents and kids when it comes to education or exams. Parents fear that lest their kids lag behind in competition. This is why “kiasu” parents leave no stone unturned to provide best education resources to their kids, including tuition.

So these are the three factors that have boosted the growth of tuition centres in Singapore.

• How Much Do Singaporeans Spend on Tuitions?

Singaporean parents are likely to spend heavily when it comes to meeting the tutoring requirement of their kids. A recent Singapore’s household expenditure survey reveals that 34% parents spend between $500 and $1,000 per month per child, which is the 25% of monthly family income in Singapore.

It is well-established fact that quality of tuition is determined by how much one can afford to pay. Tuition rates vary based on the experience, qualification and reputation of a tutor. Here is a general cost structure of tuitions in Singapore.

Benefits of Tutoring in Singapore:

One of the reasons why tuition culture is so prevalent in Singapore is that it ensures following benefits:

• One-to-One Attention:

Tutors offer personal attention to the students which is not otherwise possible in packed classroom with a busy teacher. With fewer distractions, a tutor is able to understand student’s weak areas and make whole learning process even productive.

• Learning at Own Pace:

Every child has its own learning adaptability. A right tutor customizes his or her teaching methods to suit the student’s learning ability.

• Flexibility and Convenience:

Students can learn at the comfort of their home. Besides, they can schedule the tutors according to their availability.

• Help with Homework And Test Practice:

Tutors help students in homework and exam prep providing them revision, guidance and motivation.

How to Choose a Right Tutor?

The above-listed benefits are only possible with a right tutor. Finding a right tutor requires you to be aware of your kid’s requirement and tutor’s ability as well. Here’s how…

> Know Your Kids Requirements:

To find an efficient tutor for your kid’s tutoring needs, ponder over the things like…

• Subjects your kids need a tutor for
• Learning style of your kids
• Male or Female Tutor?
• Time and Budget

> See Where You Can Find Them:

Visit dedicated online platforms like ChampionTutor to view available tutors along with views and rates.

> Check On Qualifications and Experience:

See how qualified and experienced a tutor is. However, prefer experienced tutors as they have worked with many students and are familiar with their concerns.

> Set a Budget:

A good and experienced tutor is expensive.  However, you should prefer quality over pricing. Or negotiate with him or her to lower the price.

> Ask for a Demo Class:

A demo class gives you an idea of their teaching style and an ability to explain the things. Make sure to take care of these things in a demo class…

• Problem Solving Ability
• Communication Skills
• Interactivity
• Attitude

Tuition has become a necessity for the student to do well in exams amidst the competitive education scenario and parents’ expectations as well. This is why tuition industry is on the rise in Singapore. To get maximum benefits of tuition, make sure to choose the right tuition centre after pondering over your requirements, expectations, budget and above all tutor’s experience and qualification.