As I am a specialist in the teaching industry, I am often asked by parents, “Is it better to pay tuition at home or go to a tuition center?” Due to the popularity of this question with parents, and to avoid the need to keep repeating my answer, I will address this issue here.
When I ask parents for their opinion before answering their # 1 question, most of the time, I will always get the immediate answer that the registration centers are better. Why? As they are more expensive, they have more students and the teachers will be qualified. Let me explain why this answer is concerning.
First: the cost of tuition. The importance of education cannot be underestimated, especially in a world that thrives on research and innovation. However, this does not justify the misconception that the most expensive is definitely the best. I have come across many parents who have been disappointed in their children’s performance after sending them out for supposedly “the best tuition in town.” Admittedly, what works for someone else’s child may not work for yours. It is more advisable to remain open to various suggestions on how to improve your child’s grades rather than relying solely on the registration centers.
Second: the registration centers have more students. At first glance, yes, the tuition centers seem to have more students. This is because schools tend to teach in large groups, while home tutors often teach students individually and lessons are often at home. Also, you will never know the actual number of tutors and students that the enrollment agencies are in charge of. Statistics always change in real time.
Finally: the teachers are qualified. If you say it with 100% confidence, you may want to cut it in half. Currently, there are no regulations or controls in place at the local level to ensure that teachers in schools are genuinely qualified. Tuition is a lucrative business. Hiring another teacher would mean that additional classes can be opened, which in turn, translates into higher earnings. And, is there a way to see the teacher’s certificates? Probably not. In other words, parents are ASSUMING that teachers are qualified and are spending huge sums of money at their OWN RISK.
Having cleared the air, what are the other alternatives? The most obvious competitor to registration centers would be home registration. Home tuition generally costs less and with the individual attention given to your child for the full two hours (which is what a tuition center cannot offer) it can potentially be more effective. In addition, it is more comfortable and flexible since the tutors travel to your house and can adapt to your schedule. Additionally, guardians can remain under your scrutiny at all times if you want to make sure they are not sleeping on the job. On the other hand, sitting in class with your child is definitely not allowed in most schools. Most importantly, you are sure that the tutor’s credentials are genuine after being checked by the tuition agency and then by yourself upon request.
So you may be wondering, if home tuition is better, how can it be cheaper? Again, let me emphasize that quality is not always determined by price. In-home tutors can afford to charge less because they don’t need to pay rental fees or employment benefits. Unlike tuition centers, there are no miscellaneous costs, such as registration or enrollment fees, and no month-long deposits. Nor does a one-month notice of cancellation apply. Basically you only pay for the lessons taught.
Despite the benefits, some parents are concerned that the guardians are students. Yes, most of the tutors are the students themselves who offer tutoring services to earn some subsidy. But that does not mean they are not qualified and a trustworthy tuition agency will only recommend tutors who have sufficient knowledge and experience. You may be surprised that many relief teachers in our local schools and colleges are graduates of polytechnic or are students who have just completed their ‘A’ level exams. Now, you can surely be sure that a third year college student is qualified enough to be your child’s tutor.
The comparison between home tutors and teaching centers is unlikely to end and largely depends on your suitability for your child. Although expensive tuition isn’t always the best, watch out for the cheapest deal too. Select reliable tutors at reasonable prices or prepare to pay a high price.
