Do Children Need So Many Tuitions?

By Navu (NB Tutors)

As a private tutor working closely with school-age children and their families, I have had the opportunity to observe learning patterns across a wide range of students. I work with many families, and I also remain connected with educational practices in some developing countries. One concern that is increasingly shared by myself and several other educators and professionals is the growing tendency to arrange unnecessary tuitions even for children who are already very keen in their studies and perform very well academically.

This article is not written to criticise parents or to undermine the role of tuition. On the contrary, tuition can be extremely valuable when used appropriately. My intention is to encourage reflection on when tuition is genuinely needed, and when a child’s time might be better spent in other equally important ways.

When Is Tuition Truly Necessary?

In my professional opinion, tuition is most beneficial in the following situations:

When a child does not fully understand a subject despite regular school teaching
When a student struggles with foundational concepts and needs additional explanation
When a child lacks study discipline or regular study habits at home
When targeted support is required for a specific examination or short-term academic goal

In such cases, tuition can provide personalised attention, clarify misunderstandings, and help build confidence. Used in this way, tuition acts as support, not a replacement for school learning.

The Growing Culture of Over-Tuition

However, in certain communities, an increasing number of children are enrolled in tuition even when:

They understand the subject well at school
They complete homework regularly and independently
They show genuine interest and motivation in their studies

In some cases, children attend tuition classes almost every day of the week, often for multiple subjects. There are even instances where parents arrange two separate tutors for the same subject, believing that more tuition automatically leads to better results.

Unfortunately, learning does not work on a simple “more is better” principle.

The Hidden Cost to the Child

While parents usually act with good intentions, excessive tuition can have unintended consequences:

Lack of free time: Children have little opportunity to relax, reflect, or explore their own interests
Reduced independent thinking: Constant guidance can prevent children from learning how to study on their own
Mental fatigue and stress: A tightly packed schedule can lead to burnout, even at a young age
Loss of curiosity: Learning can start to feel like a burden rather than a joyful process

Education should develop not only academic ability, but also curiosity, creativity, and emotional well-being.

What Could Children Do Instead?

For children who are already coping well academically, the time spent on additional tuition could be used more productively in other ways, such as:

Reading books beyond the school syllabus
Participating in sports, music, drama, or arts
Engaging in independent, in-depth study of topics they enjoy
Developing practical skills, hobbies, and social abilities
Spending quality time with family and peers

These activities play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals and often contribute indirectly to academic success as well.

Building Independent Learners

One of the most important goals of education is to help children become independent learners. This means teaching them how to:

Organise their own study time
Identify what they do and do not understand
Seek help only when necessary
Take responsibility for their own learning

When tuition replaces self-study rather than supporting it, this goal can be undermined.

A Balanced Approach

Tuition should be seen as a tool, not a default requirement. Each child is different, and decisions about tuition should be based on the child’s actual needs rather than social pressure or fear of falling behind.

Parents, teachers, and tutors all share a responsibility to protect children from unnecessary academic overload. Sometimes, the best support we can give a child is not another class—but the time and space to grow.

Final Thoughts

This article is intended to start a healthy conversation about education, balance, and child development, particularly in communities where over-tuition is prevalent. Academic success is important, but it should not come at the cost of a child’s well-being, curiosity, and happiness.

A thoughtful, balanced approach to tuition can help children not only perform well in exams, but also develop into confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals.