By The Big Buy desk · Last verified 12 October 2026
What you pay for tuition in Singapore depends on two things: your child’s level and the tutor’s experience. Market asking rates for one-to-one home tuition in 2026 run from about S$25 to S$35 an hour for a student tutor at lower primary, to S$60 to S$90 for an ex- or current MOE teacher at PSLE level, and up to S$90 to S$150 at JC and IB level. Group classes at centres are often, though not always, cheaper per hour. On average, households spent S$104.80 a month on tuition in 2023, and families spent S$1.8 billion in total that year.
Every parent wants to give their child a good start, and tuition can help a child who needs it. The trick is paying for what helps, at a fair rate, without overloading the week.
Quick facts
- Rates are set by tutors and agencies, not regulated; the figures below are 2026 market asking rates.
- Three common tutor tiers: part-time or student, full-time, and ex- or current MOE teacher.
- Average household tuition spending: S$88.40 a month in 2018, S$104.80 in 2023.
- Families spent S$1.8 billion on private tuition in 2023.
- MOE runs free school-based support, such as the Learning Support Programme for primary pupils.
- Self-help groups and the Collaborative Tuition Programme offer subsidised tuition, especially for lower-income households.
Hourly rates by level and tutor type
These are one-to-one home tuition rates per hour, as compiled in July 2026 from agency rate cards. Individual tutors may charge more or less.
| Level | Part-time / student tutor | Full-time tutor | Ex- or current MOE teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | S$25 to S$35 | S$40 to S$50 | S$50 to S$70 |
| Lower primary | S$25 to S$35 | S$40 to S$45 | S$55 to S$70 |
| Upper primary (PSLE) | S$30 to S$40 | S$40 to S$55 | S$60 to S$90 |
| Lower secondary | S$30 to S$45 | S$45 to S$55 | S$60 to S$85 |
| Upper secondary | S$35 to S$50 | S$45 to S$70 | S$70 to S$100 |
| JC (A level) and IB | S$40 to S$60 | S$60 to S$90 | S$90 to S$150 |
Home tutor, centre or subsidised class?
| Type | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One-to-one home tutor | Hourly rates above | Targeted help, a child who needs attention or confidence |
| Tuition or enrichment centre | Varies; many centres do not publish fees, and some premium chains are reported at about S$120 to S$130 a lesson | Structured syllabus, children who work well in groups |
| Self-help group programmes (CDAC, SINDA, Mendaki) | From about S$10 to a few hundred dollars a month, depending on scheme and subjects | Families wanting affordable, structured support |
| School-based support | Free | Primary pupils who need help with literacy or numeracy |
Worked example: one subject for a year
A Primary 6 pupil has one 1.5-hour lesson a week with a full-time tutor at S$50 an hour.
- Per lesson: 1.5 × S$50 = S$75.
- Per month of four lessons: S$300.
- Per year of about 40 lessons (allowing for school holidays and exams): S$3,000.
- Two subjects: about S$6,000 a year.
Ask how the tutor handles cancellations, makeup lessons and the June and December holidays before you agree; these terms change the true yearly cost.
How to choose without overspending
- Talk to the teacher first. Find out exactly where your child struggles; school support may already be available.
- Match tier to need. A patient student tutor can be ideal for homework help; exam-year gaps may justify an experienced teacher.
- Try a trial lesson and ask your child how it felt.
- Review every term. Stop or switch if the grades and confidence are not moving.
- Check eligibility for self-help group or Collaborative Tuition Programme support if money is tight.
The WahLiao Verdict
Tuition is a tool, not a rite of passage. Start with the school’s own support and a clear picture of the gap, then buy the least expensive help that closes it: a full-time tutor at S$40 to S$55 an hour serves most primary pupils well. Save the premium rates for exam years and real need, review every term, and protect your child’s rest and play.
Questions people ask
Is an ex-MOE teacher always better?
Not always. They know the syllabus and exam format well, but rapport and teaching style matter as much. A trial lesson tells you more than a title.
Do tuition agencies charge a fee?
Agencies usually take their commission from the tutor, but terms vary. Ask whether parents pay anything and read the agreement before the first lesson.
Is there free tuition for lower-income families?
Yes, in several forms. MOE points to school-based learning support, self-help group programmes and the Collaborative Tuition Programme, which offers subsidised tuition particularly for lower-income households. Ask your child’s school.
Can I use Edusave for tuition?
Edusave pays for approved school fees and school-organised programmes, not private tuition. Check with the school for what qualifies.
Sources: Ministry of Education, parliamentary replies on private tuition, February 2025; SmartWealth Singapore, 2026 tuition rate tables and Household Expenditure Survey figures; Department of Statistics, Household Expenditure Survey infographic. The Big Buy explains; it does not advise.
Read next: School Fees in Singapore 2026: Primary, Secondary and Miscellaneous Fees · Childcare Fees in Singapore 2026: The Fee Caps and the Subsidies · Back to The Big Buy
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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