Singapore has been dubbed a ‘tuition nation’ attributable to the prevalence of private tuition in its society. Although home tuition in Singapore has been rapidly adopted in recent years, it experienced a massive surge in popularity when schools were closed across the island due to COVID-19. This unprecedented period has helped many parents realise that home tutors are outstanding resources for their children’s education.
From a personalised learning experience to providing extra revision time and instilling potentially lifelong habits, home tuition has the power to help children adapt to the curriculum in many ways. Unfortunately, a few pervasive misconceptions have left some parents in Singapore sceptical of its advantages.
In this article, we’ll delve into 5 of the most common fallacies and explain why home tuition could be the key to unlocking the full academic potential of your children.
Misconception #1: Home tutors are less familiar with school syllabus as compared to school teachers
The Ministry of Education (MOE) constantly updates their subject syllabuses to support the learning shifts of students. This is corroborated by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) altering examination syllabuses for each respective examination levels to facilitate optimal learning curves, which are made aware by all MOE-registered educators. It is no wonder that many parents believe that home tutors are not up-to-date with its requirements.
However, the truth is, plenty of home tutors from the best home tuition agency are current; if not, ex-MOE teachers with access to a wealth of individualised tools and resources. Other tutors have first-rate educational backgrounds with excellent track records – so you can rest assured that they’re able to provide your children with the help that they need.
Misconception #2: Home tuition costs a fortune
Studies have shown that Singaporean parents are pumping in an average amount of S$96,000 into their children’s primary, secondary and tertiary education – considerably higher than global average statistics. For that reason, it is easy to presume that tuition lessons account for a significant chunk of this figure.
Here’s the revelation. Home tutors with specialised backgrounds and the best qualifications can indeed command higher rates. However, the educational realm today has become increasingly versatile. You can expect most home tuition agencies to provide tutors of varying rates to cater to financially less well-off children so that no child is ever left behind.
Misconception #3: Tuition classes serve as an added pressure to children
With numerous after-curriculum commitments and a set of jam-packed curriculum schedule, there are some truths to the fact that our children are facing more stress than ever before. But despite that, you will be surprised that all it takes is a right home tutor to turn the table around – converting tuition lessons into something that a child anticipates instead of the contrary. In fact, when your children are supported by a home tutor who is passionate about their education, they are bound to feel more motivated to learn.
Misconception #4: Tuition is only necessary during the exam period or prior to a college admission
Perceiving home tuition as a necessity only when exams are on the horizon is not an uncommon belief amongst parents. However, what most parents in Singapore fail to realise is that a child requires the most attention at the starting point of their learning journeys.
While movies like to portray tutors as magicians with the ability to mould recalcitrant students into the brightest intellects at the eleventh-hour, parents need to understand that tutors aren’t miracle makers in reality. To help your children achieve greater success, education needs to start early. Only then, home tutors can help to create a robust foundation where kids can integrate and preserve knowledge for longer.
Misconception #5: Home tuition lessons are meant for academically-challenged children
In its primitive sense, one would assume that tuition lessons were meant for students with low-academic competence. Alas, that’s an inaccurate assumption. Today, the purpose of tuition lessons no longer revolve around salvaging poor grades or to put a spotlight on a child’s weakness – but rather, an approach to maintaining good grades.
Final remarks
At the end of the day, it’s entirely up to your own judgements to decide whether your child requires tuition lessons. Even so, don’t let preconceived misconceptions and scepticism stand in the way of your child’s learning nor shatter your child’s chance of getting a better head start in life.