How do I choose a tutor for my child?

According to the South African Schools Act, No. 84 of 1996, parents of home-educated learners are responsible for their children’s education. Parents may, however, use tutors and extra classes to assist in the education of their children. Choosing the right tutor for your child is an important decision and there are several things to consider.

Where can I find a tutor?

• Browse the list of tutors on Impaq’s website. (Please note: Tutors/Educators listed on the Impaq website are independent businesses and are not owned, licensed or affiliated with Impaq.)
• Speak to parents of other homeschool Word of mouth is always a good point of reference when looking for a tutor or educator.
• Join Facebooks groups for homeschool learners and parents.
• Search for homeschool tutors near you on online platforms such as Tuta-Me. Impaq will soon also have online tutors available via our Guided Learning platform.
• Ask teachers from local private or public schools if they offer tutoring

Important considerations 

• Qualifications and specialisation: Does the tutor have the necessary qualifications to support your child, especially in subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, etc.? What does the educator specialise in that will benefit your child? Are the facilities at the tutor centre suitable for specific subjects, e.g. Hospitality Studies?
• Experience: Teaching experience, e.g. how long has the tutor worked in the home education (homeschooling) environment? What experience does the tutor have in terms of tests, examinations, year planning, SBAs and PATs?
• Passion for teaching: Is the educator professional and passionate about children and teaching, or is it all about the money?
• Personality: Does the tutor’s values and principles align with those of your family? Will your child feel safe? How is discipline applied?
• Convenience: How accessible and flexible is the tutor? How close to home is the tutor centre and how will your child get to and from the centre?
• Fees: Are the fees market related and what is included in the fees? Are the costs each party is responsible for clearly outlined?

Parental responsibilities

Remember that as a home education parent, you remain responsible for your children’s education. Once you have chosen a tutor, you have the following responsibilities:

• Ensure your child has all the necessary resources to complete the year successfully.
• Regularly ask your child to show you what lessons he/she has completed.
• Request a report showing your child’s marks early in the year. Don’t wait until the end of the year, when it may be too late.
• If not facilitated by the educator, help your child make the necessary arrangements for assessments such as PATs, examinations, etc.
• Communicate with the tutor often – don’t just assume that everything is fine and well.
• Pay the tutor as per your contractual agreement.

Evaluation

It is important to evaluate the tutor after a reasonable amount of time to ensure that your child is receiving a proper education and that you are getting your money’s worth. Ask the following questions:

• Is my child’s work up to date?
• Is my child progressing as expected with the tutor’s help?
• Is my child happy with the tutor?
• How helpful is the tutor when my child is struggling or when I need assistance?
• Am I getting value for the fees I am paying?

If the answers to these questions are positive, you have made the right choice for your child. With the help of a tutor, you can confidently undertake the journey of preparing your child for the future.