A brief review of a study conducted by FTT (findtuitonteachers.com) on
"Insights of Tuition Trends in Singapore"
In the past, tuition is not as prevalent as now. But nowadays, most of the parents I talked to send their children to tuition centre or hire tuition teachers for their kids. This is evident from how tuition spending in Singapore doubled from $410 million to over $800 million between 1998 and 2008. A study conducted between Oct 2013 to February 2014, involving 52 parents and 124 students from all levels found the following:
Parents sent their kids to tuition as they believe that it can help them to score better in the examination (91%). Many even believed that if others are having extra help and if their kids do not get that extra help, they will be at the losing edge (64%) --> typical "Kiasu" (afriad to lose) culture? Well, I can kind of understand from the parents' point of view of wanting tuition for their kids:
1. The syllabus are getting tougher
2. The students are getting smarter (I always wondered why. Maybe it is due to the advanced formula milk powder they drink when they are a toddler)
3. The world is becoming more competitive due to globalization
4. The parents have less time for the kids due to work
5. The dual income allows them to have the capacity to pay for private tuition
6. They can force their kids to set aside time for studying via tuition rather than playing computer games etc.
Many students that I talked to have divided views on tuition. Some stated that they are forced into it and they have no interest in studying at all while some say they will "die" (the exact word used by a few students) without tuition as they are not sure if they are on the right track. Some stated that they love tuition in a small group with their own group of friends as it allows them to feel more relaxed and they can discuss what they do not know freely during tuition. They stated that it is hard and embarrassing to ask questions in class (Asian culture) and thus they learn more during private lessons.
In terms of tutors' quality, there are also divided views. Most students (62%) stated that their tutors are qualified and they (74%) find it easy to follow the class during tuition whereas others (29%) stated that the tutors confuse them and made it worse for them. Majority of the students (87%) stated that their tutors are patient and allow them to take their time to absorb their materials.
Tuition can be costly and there have been wide debate on how much is too much. If the good tutors are charging an astronomical amount of fees, wouldnt only the rich be able to get the best help?
Is tuition really necessary? Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah argues that tuition for children who are doing reasonably well is counter-productive, while weak students can get help through existing school programmes. "Our education system is run on the basis that tuition is not necessary," she said in Parliament, amid concerns that a widening income gap affords children from better-off families opportunities for a head start on their peers through tuition (Straits times, 2013).
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