For most tuition centres in Singapore, the median cost is approximately S$30 per hour for Primary School, S$40 per hour for Secondary school, and S$55 per hour (and above) for Junior College (JC); but this is just an estimate. Tuition fees varies for different tuition centres based on many factors. For private tutors, the median rate varies based on the teacher’s qualifications (their education background and their years of experience in tutoring)

When it comes to Ministry of Education (MOE) trained teachers, private tuition rates are around S$40 to S$45 per hour for Primary school, S$55 to S$65 per hour for lower Secondary, S$70 to S$80 per hour for upper Secondary, and S$95 to S$100 per hour for JC. This is because MOE trained tutors have a greater depth of knowledge of what the syllabus expects, how questions are set and what examiners expect to see in their students.

This basically means that private tuition is comparatively expensive, to that of tuition centres. This makes sense because a private tutor has to travel and could at most teach 2 students at a time (it is mostly one student at a time).

Generally, the less qualified tutors would be those who are undergraduates, probably University students tutoring as a part-time job to support their own expenses. The advantage of hiring Undergraduate tutors is that they have very positive traits like being amicable, extremely energetic, they have a lot of what they have studies still fresh in their minds and most importantly, because they are still students, they are relatable.

Though ex or current MOE teachers charge a high fee, it will be worth it due to their experience, expertise and understanding of students’ academic expectations. Money aside, be it any type, tutors take their job very seriously and give only their best.