In a Singaporean culture in which good grades will get one a good living, disadvantaged children who cannot afford private tuition are undoubtedly disadvantaged. If I were given support, I would devote it to solving the social issue of educational inequality, the inability of disadvantaged children to secure personal tuition assistance.

Singaporean education is competitive. National examinations such as the PSLE, N-levels, and O-levels have a monumental impact on the direction of the child in the future. The majority of students, especially from middle to high-income families, have the advantage of taking tuition classes to complement school work. It is indeed not surprising that students are enrolled in various tuition classes for various subjects. These classes provide targeted support and one-on-one pacing and additional resources, all of which enhance student performance significantly. Admittedly, I as well as so many of my peers benefited greatly from tuition. But I cannot say this is true for all.

Take, for example, a student who is struggling. A student whose family must choose between food on the table or a chance at a better life. These children are supposed to perform the same as the other students despite having many fewer resources. It is not that they are less capable, it is merely that they lack equal support. This is a systemic shortfall that leaves them behind, not just academically, but also in confidence, opportunities, and eventual success.

There is no way to provide personalised learning with 30 or 40 students per class. Teachers put in their all to teach students and do their absolute best, but they simply cannot adjust their speed or methodology for each individual. Not all students are fast learners, and not everyone performs well with the same type of teaching. Some learn from what they see, some from what they hear, and some need more hands-on or discussion activities. If these needs are not met, learning is frustrating and in dire circumstances, students become disconnected altogether.

For well-to-do students, tuition is a given. But for low-income families, it’s a luxury. They are often forced to make difficult choices: spend money on daily necessities such as food and rent, or spend money on tuition for their child. In the worst-case scenario, children are growing up thinking that education is something “meant for others”, not because they are not smart, but because they’ve been denied the chance to succeed.

The impact of this is lasting and deep. These children are more likely to be placed in lower streams in school, impacting their later tertiary education and career potential. Eventually, the gap between the haves and have-nots widens. Education and thus tuition have the potential to put someone on a completely different life trajectory.

So what’s the answer?

The answer is through mobilising volunteer tutors to provide free, one-on-one tuition to underprivileged students. Tertiary students in STEM, language, or teaching courses with good grades and retired teachers can volunteer as tutors. Training will be provided by current primary school teachers and consists of the current syllabus structure and soft skills needed for teaching. After-school tutoring classes will be conducted in libraries, community centres, or schools if appropriately supported. The tutoring classes can either be done in small groups or on a one-to-one basis to suit the unique learning habits and paces of the children. This not only levels the playing ground but also creates a culture of giving back, where it is those who have benefited from the system who give back to assist others.

This type of program would not require massive infrastructure or costly resources. Coordination, passion, and commitment are all that are required. With a big donation, I would make a sustainable AI model to pair volunteers with students, provide training and equipment, and work with schools to identify which children need the most help.

To further personalise and ensure effective learning, an AI pairing system will pair students with suitable tutors based on personality, learning style and subject. This allows for better, more effective teaching and learning resulting in satisfactory results. The funds will go a long way in building an effective AI model to help better pair students.

Ultimately, all children ought to have an equal opportunity to succeed. Not just those who can afford to pay for it. If we truly do believe in meritocracy and equal opportunity, then we need to walk to talk and allow the necessary resources to complement the efforts of students. Education must aim to lift the individuals, not to leave them behind.