Does Your Child Need More Tuition? A Guide for Singapore Parents
It can begin with a casual conversation. Another parent mentions an extra Mathematics class, a new English tutor or a weekend enrichment programme. Suddenly, you wonder whether your child should be doing more too.
For parents in Singapore, deciding how much tuition is enough can be difficult. You want to support your child’s progress while leaving room for rest, interests and family time.
A recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) study brings this tension into focus. Published on 25 September 2026, it surveyed 1,500 Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident parents with children in local primary schools. It compared selected findings with a 2016 survey. [1]
As CNA reported, parents increasingly value holistic development, yet tuition expenditure and parental stress have risen. Mean monthly tuition expenditure was S$677 in 2026, compared with an inflation-adjusted figure of approximately S$386 in 2016. These were separate surveys, rather than a study following the same families over time. [2]
These findings invite a practical question: how can parents choose learning support that addresses their child’s needs?
Start with the difficulty your child is facing
Before adding another lesson, identify what your child finds challenging.
A child struggling with Mathematics word problems may understand the calculations but have difficulty interpreting the question. Another may recognise the method during a lesson yet forget the steps when working independently. Both need support, but the focus of their lessons should differ.
Look through recent schoolwork together. Ask your child to explain where they became unsure, and seek feedback from their school teacher or current tutor. A recurring pattern is more useful than a single disappointing result.
A specific concern, such as difficulty applying fractions in word problems, provides a clearer starting point than a general worry about falling behind.
Give each tuition lesson a clear purpose
Tuition can serve different purposes: strengthening foundations, clarifying school lessons, practising unfamiliar questions or preparing for an examination.
Before enrolling, discuss the intended focus with the tutor. Ask how they will identify learning gaps, adapt practice and assess understanding.
For example, a child who struggles with long division might work towards completing questions independently and explaining each step. A child who finds comprehension difficult might practise locating evidence and expressing answers clearly.
These goals help parents assess whether the lessons are addressing the original concern. If a child already attends tuition for the same subject, check what an additional class would contribute and how the two approaches would fit together.
Look for progress beyond the next test score
Examination results matter, but they provide only part of the picture.
You may also notice that your child starts homework with less prompting, explains a concept more clearly or attempts a question they previously avoided. They may begin identifying their own mistakes and asking more specific questions.
These observations can support a useful conversation with the tutor. Ask which skills have improved, where difficulties remain and what your child should practise next.
For instance, “she is more confident” becomes more informative when accompanied by an example: “she can now choose the correct operation in familiar word problems without a prompt.”
Agree on a review point with the tutor so that the lesson plan can be adjusted as your child’s needs change.
Consider the whole weekly schedule
When deciding whether to add tuition, consider the time surrounding each lesson as well: travel, assigned practice and the transition between activities.
Look at the week alongside schoolwork, co-curricular activities, meals, sleep and unstructured time. Ask your child how manageable it feels.
If your child repeatedly arrives at lessons exhausted or struggles to complete existing work, discuss the workload before adding another commitment. An adjustment might involve changing the lesson focus, reducing duplicated practice or reconsidering the timing.
The appropriate arrangement will depend on your child’s age, learning needs and other commitments. Another family’s timetable is unlikely to provide a reliable benchmark.
Set a budget around your family’s needs
The spending figure reported in the IPS study is a survey average. It is not a recommended tuition budget or a measure of responsible parenting.
When comparing options, consider lesson fees, materials, transport and the amount of additional practice expected. Ask how progress will be communicated and whether the arrangement can be reviewed.
A sustainable budget allows you to make decisions with greater clarity. Begin with the area where support is most needed, then assess whether the lessons are useful before expanding the commitment.
Choosing tuition involves understanding your child, setting a clear purpose and staying involved in the review process. A helpful starting question is: “What does my child need help with now, and how will we know the support is working?”
If you are considering tuition, contact EduCare Tutoring to discuss your child’s learning needs and the support you are looking for.
Sources
[1] Institute of Policy Studies, “Parents and Schooling in Singapore: Findings from the 2026 Survey on Singapore’s Education System”, 25 September 2026.
[2] CNA, “Singapore parents increasingly value holistic development, but academic concerns persist: IPS study”, 25 September 2026.
Context: IPS Forum on Parents and Schooling, 29 September 2026.
Comments