Is your child’s math tuition preparing them for the future, or just for an exam paper designed in the 1980s?
A recent thought-provoking article in The Straits Times by Professor Terence Sim (a computing professor and AI researcher) has sparked a necessary conversation among educators and parents in Singapore. His message is clear: The current secondary and JC math syllabus is still geared toward 20th-century engineering, not the 21st-century AI revolution.
As a parent looking for a secondary math tutor, this insight is a game-changer for how you should evaluate who teaches your child. Here is a summary of the article and what it means for your child’s tutoring needs.
The Problem: “How” vs. “Why”
Professor Sim points out that while Singaporean students are world-class at using formulas to get the right answer (the “how”), they often struggle to explain the logic behind it (the “why”).
In the age of Artificial Intelligence, being a “human calculator” is no longer a competitive advantage. AI can already do the “how” faster and more accurately than any human. To thrive, the next generation needs to master the logic, proofs, and conceptual foundations that AI is built upon.
The Syllabus Gap
The article highlights that O-Level and A-Level syllabuses have remained largely unchanged since the mid-1980s.[1] They focus heavily on:
- Traditional Engineering Math: Complex numbers, differential equations, and advanced integration.[1]
- The Missing Pieces: Topics foundational to AI—like Number Theory, Logic and Proofs, Set Theory, and Combinatorics—are often sidelined or missing entirely.
Many students who ace H2 Mathematics in JC arrive at university only to struggle with Discrete Mathematics, the actual “language” of AI and computing.[1]
3 Things to Look for in a Secondary Math Tutor Today
If you are currently scouting for a tutor for your secondary school child, don’t just look for someone who provides endless practice papers. Use these “AI-ready” criteria:
1. Look for a “Why” Educator, Not a “Formula” Dealer
Ask potential tutors: “How do you handle it when a student asks why a formula works?”
A great tutor shouldn’t just say, “Just memorize it for the O-Levels.” They should be able to explain the underlying logic. As Prof Sim notes, understanding why “two odd numbers make an even number” is more important for the future than just performing the addition.
2. Prioritize Conceptual Mastery Over Rote Drilling
While practice is important, “drill-and-kill” methods are becoming obsolete. You want a tutor who can bridge the gap between O-Level topics and real-world applications like data science or algorithm building. This keeps the subject interesting and future-proof.
3. Ask About “Discrete Math” Concepts
Even if it’s not a huge part of the O-Level syllabus yet, a tutor with a background in Computer Science or Data Analytics can introduce concepts of Probability, Statistics, and Logic in a way that prepares your child for university-level computing.
The Bottom Line for Parents
The goal of math tuition in 2026 shouldn’t just be an ‘A1’ on a report card; it should be to develop a mind that can think critically in an AI-driven world.
When choosing a tutor, look for someone who sees beyond the national exams. Choose a mentor who teaches your child to ask “Why?”, because in the future, that is the only question AI won’t be able to answer for them.
Based on the Straits Times Forum: “Math syllabus needs to evolve to prepare students to be AI-ready” by Terence Sim (Published Feb 19, 2026).
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