Summarized from Straits Times
Original Article dated SEP 23, 2013
BY AMELIA TENG
Jasmine Thoi, 14, has tuition outside school for her two strongest subjects, Chinese and Maths – even though she already gets As in them.
The East Spring Secondary student is among a rising number of youngsters who are opting for tuition, regardless of how good their scores may be. She said: “Tuition lets me explore more and learn faster than my friends.”
Even students at tertiary level are getting in on the act.
Ms Vivian Koh, 20, a first-year social sciences student at the Singapore Management University, will start tuition this week for a calculus module.
“We’re learning so fast in university,” she said. “I’m not good in maths so I’m lost in class.”
But tuition is not just for the weak and struggling. Many straight-A students are seeking help so they can maintain their standards or do even better.
Twelve-year-old Christie Ko is another high-performing student who has tuition, studying Chinese, Maths and English. The Primary 6 pupil in a girls’ mission school, who gets As for all her subjects, said: “If I don’t work hard, my grades will fall. Tuition helps to maintain my grades and ensure I do my work properly.
“My tutors teach ahead, so I understand faster when my school teacher starts a new topic.”
A mother who declined to be named said her daughter, a Primary 6 pupil at Raffles Girls’ Primary, has tuition in all subjects so her grades – consistent As – do not slip. “Tuition is a form of revision for her, to reinforce concepts, and tackle questions not covered in school,” said the housewife.
Undergraduate students like Ms Koh form about half of private tutor Ng E-Jay’s pool of students.
Mr Ng, 36, who teaches maths, physics and chemistry, said: “At this level, it gets more complicated. Some need help in explaining difficult concepts.”
ateng@sph.com.sg
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