Channel News Asia (CNA) recently featured a discussion with Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on whether the tuition industry in Singapore should be regulated. The conversation raises important questions about the role of tuition centers and how they operate within the education landscape.
Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm3aWs-Jv4g
At Hess Academy, we believe in a student-centric education built upon transparency, ethical practices, and a data driven approach to good grades. Here’s our take on the matter.
The Case for Regulation
Advocates for regulation argue that it ensures tuition centers maintain a standard of quality and ethical conduct. Some concerns include:
Misleading marketing practices – Some tuition centers offer enticements to top students to endorse their services, or selectively showcase top students’ results while filtering out students who may not perform as well.
Unethical review practices – Certain centers guide students in writing glowing reviews with specific keywords or pre-determined templates.
Pre-selection biased - Some tuition centers only take in high performing students to maintain pristine results and top performance in the national exams such as PSLE, O levels and A levels.
Pressure-driven Tactics – Coercive methods may be used to make parents and students feel guilty for not signing up for classes or services.
Taking into consideration these concerns, regulators must be careful in implementing regulations to address unethical practices without stifling innovation and quality education.
The Risks of Over-Regulation
A heavily regulated tuition industry could pose several risks:
Bureaucratic red tape – Excessive regulation may hinder the ability of tuition centers to adapt their teaching methods dynamically.
Increased costs – Compliance with strict regulatory frameworks may lead to black markets, or drive up costs, which could be passed on to parents.
Limiting educational diversity – Different students require different approaches. Over-standardization could undermine the ability of educators to customize learning experiences.
Our Commitment to Ethical Practices
At Hess Academy, we strongly advocate for integrity in education. We believe in delivering quality lessons that are exam-centric, driven by our commitment to students and parents, rather than regulatory enforcement.
Here’s how we operate:
Genuine Student Reviews
We do not guide students in writing reviews by providing keywords, templates, or criteria.
Every review is a reflection of a parent or student's authentic experience.
Open Enrollment Policy
We do not pre-select students to enhance success rates.
Our diagnostic assessment is designed to understand each student’s strengths and weaknesses so we can develop a personalized learning plan. All students are welcome, no matter how they score in the diagnostics test.
Value-Added Learning Support Without Coercion
We provide additional resources beyond the classroom without pressuring students or parents.
Our support includes:
Differentiated homework
Targeted practices
Structured answering frameworks
Termly assessments with regular parent updates
Condensed notes and model answers for effective revision
Moving Forward
Rather than enforcing blanket regulations, we believe the focus should be on encouraging transparency while advocating for ethical tuition practices. Tuition centers should enjoy the flexibility to innovate but embrace the need for accountability when circumstances call for it. Parents will play an active role in researching and selecting tuition providers that align with their values and their child’s needs.
At Hess Academy, our mission is to empower students with strategic learning tools, differentiated resources and a data driven approach for quick improvements. We pledge to support every child in their academic journey with sincerity and integrity, regardless of proficiency. We remain committed to providing a nurturing, student-centric environment where every learner can thrive.
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