Why Do So Many IP Students Feel The Need For Tuition?

Made out of the most academically bright students in their cohort, students in the Integrated Programme are often thought of as very academically talented, quick learners, and motivated. Most people think that IP students have no trouble with their studies, and can get high scores without struggling too much.

However, in running our tuition centres in Singapore, we can’t help but notice that there is a steady demand for tuition for IP students. These are students coming from what we think of as ‘elite schools’ who have had rich histories of producing high-calibre students. So what makes them turn to tuition centres outside of their prestigious schools?

Being a small fish in a big pond

When you have all the high-achievers gathered in a few select schools, suddenly you are no longer the ‘best’ in your class. Your grades are likely to drop comparatively, which can feel very worrying and demoralizing. However, it could be just because the student is now competing with the best of the best, and it is no longer as easy to come out on top.

As a result, some parents send their teen to IP tuition in Singapore to ensure their child can keep up with the competition in their school. Our tuition programmes for IP students help students stay motivated and equip them with effective study methods to stay ahead  in the rigorous curriculum in school.

A significant leap in standards

Aside from competition, the difficulty of subject content and assessments is also usually tougher in IP schools. As IP schools can set their own curriculum and standards, there tends to be more in-depth content and harder questions than schools running the O level curriculum.

For this reason, concerned parents and students are turning to ‘bridging classes’ which help them navigate the differences between P6 and Sec 1 learning. Many parents also seek Sec 1 IP tuition to set their foundation right early, before more problems accumulate in upper Secondary.

The trend towards ‘teaching less’

The ‘teach less, learn more’ mantra is still going strong, and schools are unrelenting in trying out new ways to let students direct their own learning. From flip classroom activities to group projects, lessons are now less about the teacher teaching and more about students figuring things out for themselves.

In theory, this is a good idea for students to learn independently. However, many students find it difficult to adapt to this less-structured mode of teaching, especially when they are fresh out of primary school. Many of our students say that they cannot understand the concepts taught in class, the teachers don’t spend enough time explaining the concepts, and they spend too much time on learning activities such that they don’t have time to actually practice and internalise what they have learnt.

For these students, tuition classes are a great way to access more structured learning. We implement a systematic approach which provides students with neatly organised notes, summaries, and worksheets to aid their learning in a gradual way from familiarity to mastery. At the same time, our tutors take a personalised approach to each student’s learning, ensuring that each student gets the right type of help they need.

The pursuit for excellence

Despite the rigour of their curriculum, some IP students are not content with scraping by and being average at what they do. With future studies and career aspirations in mind, many IP students are aiming for ‘A’ grades, Olympiads, research projects, and scholarships.

While we know many IP students who are able to cope with their studies by themselves, their goal is to go beyond and excel at what they do. Hence, our tuition classes help by providing them with exposure to more in-depth learning and challenging questions, equipping them to tackle the questions that differentiate a B from an A grade.

Conclusion

Despite their academic abilities, IP students are steadily seeking out tuition services to support their learning – where the standard and competition have grown higher and self-directed learning has created demands for more structured learning options. As a tuition centre which specializes in offering tuition classes for IP students, we are here to provide continuous support for our students – whether you are struggling with failing grades or striving to be the top of your cohort.

We aim to make your educational support convenient and accessible for you – so visit us at one of our 3 centres which are located close by to Singapore’s major school districts, or even opt for the convenience of online tuition classes! Book your lesson today to receive expert guidance from our tutors.

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