<![CDATA[The minimum educational qualification for a tutor]]>The school syllabus is getting more challenging, with O levels concepts brought to primary levels Maths and Science to be solved using primary level methods. And all primary schools are moving towards hiring degree-holders only to become school teachers. Do you expect your child’s tutor to be a degree holder from at least a local university, to guide him/her to go on to local university one day?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/7846/the-minimum-educational-qualification-for-a-tutorRSS for NodeSat, 18 Apr 2026 12:36:22 GMTTue, 29 Dec 2009 00:43:54 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:46:12 GMT]]>Wow :!:


Such high standards set.
I pity those parents who have only secondary education and can’t afford to hire the highly qualified tutors to teach their children.

However, please also bear in mind that highly qualified tutor doesn’t guarantee high marks.
At the end of the day, it is the child’s willingness and abiliy to learn.
No doubt the tutor can guide but the tutor cannot control the results of the child too.

I know of a normal grassroot couple with tertiary education only. Their children grow up without tuition. Their eldest son is a professor with NTU and the second son is an engineer with GE Electric.

I also know of a mega rich couple with tertiary education only. Engaged highly qualified tutor for every subjects for their only daughter. Daughter did not do well to go to Law faculty in Singapore university. In the end, to save face, they send her to England to pursue law.

I still choose to believe that if the child is not driven and passionate about learning, what’s the point of engaging the best in the field?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/96076https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/96076Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:46:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:39:51 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
There is no doubt the need of necessary qualifications ie a person with only pri school quali can't teach a sec sch student. But armed with the highest quali, be it MSC or even PhD, it does not necessarily make that person a better teacher.


I recalled fondly some pri sch teachers who did not have a deg but were able to inspire the kids, spark some interest on the boring subjects etc This is what a good teacher or tutor should possess too besides the needed qualifications.
:goodpost:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/96068https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/96068Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:39:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:48:39 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
There is no doubt the need of necessary qualifications ie a person with only pri school quali can't teach a sec sch student. But armed with the highest quali, be it MSC or even PhD, it does not necessarily make that person a better teacher.


I recalled fondly some pri sch teachers who did not have a deg but were able to inspire the kids, spark some interest on the boring subjects etc This is what a good teacher or tutor should possess too besides the needed qualifications.
Those were the days when University education is less widely available and school teachers are already above average in their educational qualifications. My own teachers back in school are qualified and inspiring.

But with growing affluence and rising aspirations, almost a quarter of students are now degree holders. Schools have recognised that they need the best talents to produce best future talents.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95973https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95973Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:48:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:39:47 GMT]]>

kiasimom:
Dear all,


In your opinion, what should be the basic requirements and qualifications for a tutor.


1. Primary - Diploma for P1-P5, Degree for P6
2. Secondary - Undergrad for S1-S3, Degree for O levels
3. JC / Poly - Degree
4. University - Specialist degree

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95967https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95967Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:39:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:27:37 GMT]]>There is no doubt the need of necessary qualifications ie a person with only pri school quali can’t teach a sec sch student. But armed with the highest quali, be it MSC or even PhD, it does not necessarily make that person a better teacher.


I recalled fondly some pri sch teachers who did not have a deg but were able to inspire the kids, spark some interest on the boring subjects etc This is what a good teacher or tutor should possess too besides the needed qualifications.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95958https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95958Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:27:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:20:15 GMT]]>Hi James,

You are not answering my question :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95948https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95948Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:20:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:16:49 GMT]]>

kiasimom:
Dear all,


In your opinion, what should be the basic requirements and qualifications for a tutor.

1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. JC / Poly
4. University
Do keep in mind that all primary schools are getting degree holders only to become primary school teachers by 2015, and non-degree primary school teachers are upgrading themselves to get a degree.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95944https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95944Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:16:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:14:00 GMT]]>

MMM:
Personally, I've been a tutor in my younger days. The agency does not do any background check and as they are commission based, they will be happy if they can get someone \"suitable\" to fill the role. I remember being filled in levels that I wasn't confident of teaching. I told the mum on the spot when we I realise the child's level upon arriving at their place. Due to this, I've little faith in getting tutors from agencies.


A good tutor should be qualified academically and also have the necessary experience. Personally, I think I value people's recommendation since it's tried and trusted.

On the earlier note on N level students being good technically. Let's not have such views. I used to go through the N level route too as I wasn't motivated at that stage. Once I am motivated, I know I can do well academically too. So let's not view N level students that way. They can do just as well it's just a question of personal motivation at times.
I am sure you have secured a higher than N levels qualification after you get motivated. 😄

What I mean by \"N level tutor\", is someone with N levels as a highest qualification is less likely to teach academic subjects even though N level holders possess other non-academic skills that are well sought after in the job marketplace. Some N-level holders once motivated, move on to get their own private Uni degrees part-time while working full time.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95940https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95940Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:14:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:07:07 GMT]]>Dear all,


In your opinion, what should be the basic requirements and qualifications for a tutor.

1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. JC / Poly
4. University

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95935https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95935Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:07:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:04:32 GMT]]>Personally, I’ve been a tutor in my younger days. The agency does not do any background check and as they are commission based, they will be happy if they can get someone "suitable" to fill the role. I remember being filled in levels that I wasn’t confident of teaching. I told the mum on the spot when we I realise the child’s level upon arriving at their place. Due to this, I’ve little faith in getting tutors from agencies.


A good tutor should be qualified academically and also have the necessary experience. Personally, I think I value people’s recommendation since it’s tried and trusted.

On the earlier note on N level students being good technically. Let’s not have such views. I used to go through the N level route too as I wasn’t motivated at that stage. Once I am motivated, I know I can do well academically too. So let’s not view N level students that way. They can do just as well it’s just a question of personal motivation at times.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95933https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95933Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:04:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:25:01 GMT]]>See my comment here.


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=95897#95897

In the nutshell, hiring a tutor who keep abreast with the current education system (former school teacher or current school teacher) is the safest choice.

Also note the point I mentioned about the naive Master Degree Holder.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95904https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95904Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:25:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:16:16 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
There are only 2 reasons of having tuition; when the kid can't follow the lesson OR the kid wants to learn more.


In both cases, the kid needs an experienced tutor. A deg holder will be a plus point but the experience also counts.

Just curious, do the lecturers in NUS or NTU go through NIE ? :roll:
If all primary schools are recruiting degree holders only to be school teachers, is it raising the expectation for the tutors to be degree holders or at least an undergrad?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95899https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95899Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:16:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:09:09 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
I am not a teacher or a lecturer.


My point is \"highest qualification does not necessarily make a GOOD teacher\".
but minimum qualification is still a necessary factor to look at to match the student's aspiration and proficiency level. For example, will parents get an N levels holder to teach their EM1 kid in P5/P6? (this is just a hypothetical example of a mismatch even though the N-level holder can be a skilful worker in his/her technical work)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95895https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95895Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:09:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:58:36 GMT]]>I am not a teacher or a lecturer.


My point is "highest qualification does not necessarily make a GOOD teacher".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95885https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95885Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:58:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:56:15 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
There are only 2 reasons of having tuition; when the kid can't follow the lesson OR the kid wants to learn more.


In both cases, the kid needs an experienced tutor. A deg holder will be a plus point but the experience also counts.

Just curious, do the lecturers in NUS or NTU go through NIE ? :roll:
Local universities are very stringent in their recruitment of teaching staff. I am sure the minimum qualification to be a lecturer or tutor in local Uni must be good honours degree holder, but most of them have at least Masters and some have pHD. And besides teaching undergrads, their workscope involves doing research and publishing their research in international journals.

I am pretty sure the Uni itself is an authority, and lecturers would have their own academic track record to back them up, so I don't think they go through NIE.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95882https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95882Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:56:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to The minimum educational qualification for a tutor on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:47:46 GMT]]>There are only 2 reasons of having tuition; when the kid can't follow the lesson OR the kid wants to learn more.


In both cases, the kid needs an experienced tutor. A deg holder will be a plus point but the experience also counts.

Just curious, do the lecturers in NUS or NTU go through NIE ? :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95874https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/95874Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:47:46 GMT