In recent years, private tutoring in Singapore has shifted from being a “nice-to-have” to something many families see as almost essential. Tutors were once mainly hired to help weaker students catch up. But today, they play a much wider role — from reinforcing school lessons to preparing students for high-stakes exams, and even guiding confidence and motivation.
A commentary in The Straits Times points out that private tutors are increasingly taking on responsibilities that overlap with teachers. And this trend has grown not just among well-resourced families, but also among lower-income students, many of whom now receive subsidised or volunteer-based tuition support.
So, why is this happening — and what does it mean for your child?
1. Teachers Are Under Heavy Workloads
A major international survey recently found that teachers in Singapore work longer hours and report more stress than many of their global counterparts. Teachers are deeply committed, but their time is stretched across:
- Classroom teaching
- Curriculum planning
- CCA commitments
- Pastoral care and wellbeing support
- Admin work and parent communication
With so many responsibilities, it can be difficult for them to provide individualised academic attention to every student — especially once students enter secondary school, where content gets tougher and exams move faster.
This is where parents often look to tutors to fill the gap.
2. Tuition Is No Longer Just About “Catching Up”
Many parents today are not looking for tutors only because their child is struggling. Increasingly, they want:
- Clarification on difficult concepts not fully covered in class
- Structured exam preparation
- Exposure to different ways of understanding and applying information
- Someone who can monitor progress and practice consistently
In other words, tuition is sometimes functioning as a second classroom — a place where learning gets reinforced and personalised.
3. But This Raises Important Equity Questions
If tuition becomes necessary for students to keep up, then students without access to it may be placed at a disadvantage.
The widening presence of tuition among lower-income families (through grants, volunteer programmes, and community centres) reflects an attempt to close this gap. But it also signals something else:
The education system is starting to assume tuition exists — whether formally or informally — as part of a student’s learning journey.
This can place additional pressure on families who may already be financially stretched.
4. So, What Should Parents Take Away from This?
The key is not “Tuition = Must Have.”
The real question to ask is:
What support does my child actually need — academically, emotionally, and in their learning habits?
When considering tuition, think about whether your child needs:
| Support Area | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Understanding of content | Does my child understand the concepts, or just memorise? |
| Confidence and mindset | Do they get anxious when facing problem-solving questions? |
| Study habits & consistency | Do they know how to revise, or are they always “restarting”? |
| Exam strategy | Do they make the same mistakes even after practicing? |
A good tutor should not just teach more content.
They should help your child learn how to learn.
5. What to Look for in a Tutor
Rather than focusing only on “results” or worksheets, look for tutors who:
✔ Explain concepts clearly, rather than drill answers
✔ Build self-belief and resilience
✔ Communicate well with parents
✔ Understand the school syllabus and exam expectations deeply
✔ Teach study skills and question-analysis strategies
✔ Care about your child’s growth, not just grades
A strong tutor complements teachers — not replaces them.
Final Thoughts
Private tutoring is becoming more common not because schools are failing, but because the demands of the modern education system are high — and every child learns differently.
As parents, your role is to choose support that aligns with your child’s needs, not pressure.
The goal is not to add more studying.
The goal is to help your child learn effectively, confidently, and sustainably.
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