From the Editorial Team
19th October 2022

On platforms advertising tuition services, there are 2 main demographics of tutors – part-time tutors looking for jobs to tide them through periods between National Service and University, or full-time tutors who have taught at reputable schools. There are marked advantages of the 2 options most frequently presented to parents looking for a tutor for their children.

Advantages of Part-time Tutors

Generally, part-time tutors have been most recently exposed to the syllabus of the subjects which they are teaching. As an added bonus, they may have been from the school the child is currently studying in. This may give them more exposure to changes in the syllabus and the style of the teachers within the school, which can lend more credibility to their advice despite their young age.

Furthermore, as many parents search for tutors in preparation for an exam, tutors who have recently completed the exams could have their examination preparation fresh in their minds and can assist with the time management of the student. Often, a student juggling co-curricular activities and other commitments would feel lost regarding their timetables, and a former student who has recently completed their studies could best provide advice, given that they are closer to their age.

Advantages of Full-time Tutors

An obvious advantage of full-time tutors is the credibility of their credentials and experience. Tutors who have been teachers at a particular school have a bird’s eye perspective of the type of exams their students will be taking, with knowledge about how the student’s answers are marked. This could help in the correction of answers which the student provides, as the tutors will be able to give sample answers and tips on what they are looking for.

Ultimately, parents should understand their children’s needs and personalities best and should vet potential tutors to see which is the best for them, while weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of their decision.