Exploring the rise of ‘Big Tuition’ and its impact on Singapore’s education system.
Private tuition has become a fixture in the average Singaporean student’s life, with many students relying on it just as much as homework. However, a recent article in The Straits Times has shed light on how tuition centres have evolved over the years.
In addition to traditional worksheets, some tuition centres now offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including theme park trips, bowling, movies, and even networking events. Interestingly, many well-known centres, like Zenith Education Studio and Raymond’s Math & Science Studio (RMSS), claim they do not pass on the costs of these perks to students, which sounds too good to be true.
In my own experience, back in the day, the only ‘bonus’ I ever got from my tuition was the occasional pen that a tutor left behind.
This shift toward more holistic tuition programmes coincides with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) own efforts to de-emphasize the focus on grades. In recent years, MOE has eliminated examinations and graded assessments for Primary 1 and 2 students. By 2024, mid-year exams will be removed for all primary and secondary levels, and by 2026, a fourth subject in junior colleges will no longer count toward university admission scores.
This movement suggests that academic results may not be as vital as they once were, prompting tuition centres to adjust their business models to remain relevant. At the same time, they are trying to focus more on student well-being, bonding, and motivation.
For example, Zenith Learning Group’s founder Evan Heng speaks of helping students bond with their tutors and classmates, while RMSS’s founder Raymond Loh motivates students by taking them to open houses at institutions like the National University of Singapore.
While Big Tuition centres have embraced these extra benefits, independent tutors or smaller centres cannot always offer the same perks. This creates a divide in the tuition market, with larger centres attracting students through discounts and exclusive benefits, like discounted acai bowls and dental treatments. Smaller independent tutors, often running one-person operations, focus on providing more personal attention but lack the resources for flashy extras.
The rise of ‘Big Tuition’ has led to a cultural shift, where students and even their parents are increasingly drawn to tuition centres that promise social and cultural perks alongside academic benefits. This trend is aided by social media, which makes it easier for these centres to advertise their offerings and attract more students.
For smaller tutors, however, it’s all about the individual attention they provide, and many students prefer the tailored, one-on-one support they offer.
This trend raises important questions about the role of tuition in Singapore’s education system. As tuition centres become more branded and trend-driven, the affordability and accessibility of education become increasingly unequal. While some students are enjoying all the perks of ‘Big Tuition’, others, particularly those who can’t afford these luxuries, are left to rely on smaller, independent tutors.
Notably, there are local organizations such as Yayasan MENDAKI, CDAC, and SINDA that provide tuition to students from disadvantaged backgrounds at highly subsidized rates, which help level the playing field.
The growing dominance of big tuition centres could exacerbate the divide between the haves and the have-nots, as tuition increasingly becomes an arena for branding rather than academic support. Ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether the extra benefits offered by big centres are worth the higher price tag or whether the personalized attention from smaller tutors is more valuable.
While larger tuition centres offer a wide range of perks and benefits, they may not always be the best fit for every student. Small, independent tutors can still provide personalized attention and achieve excellent results. As the tuition landscape evolves, it’s crucial to remember that, for many students, what matters most is not the theme park tickets but the care and attention they receive in their educational journey.
