Many tuition teachers still manage bookings over WhatsApp. Here's how the industry works, why independent tutors face high introductory commissions, and how a simple booking link helps.
TL;DR – For tutors building their own client base, and for agencies managing multiple tutors, introductory commissions and manual coordination can add friction over time. A simple booking link gives both tutors and agencies an additional channel to handle enquiries, pre-screen students, and set clear expectations upfront, helping reduce last-minute cancellations and payment misunderstandings.
Singapore's private tuition industry is massive. With the emphasis on academic excellence, parents spend an estimated SGD 1.4 billion annually on private tuition. Behind every tutoring session is a teacher who had to somehow get that student in the first place.
For most tutors, especially those starting out, the path to students goes through tuition agencies.
Here’s the typical flow today:
At the same time, even a few lessons can add up to a meaningful introductory fee — simply for the initial connection.
For experienced tutors with strong track records, this can start to feel disproportionate. You’re delivering the lessons. You’re building the long-term relationship. You’re the one showing up every week.
As discovery becomes easier through social media, reviews, and referrals, many tutors are beginning to question whether high introductory commissions still make sense for every engagement.
Once tutors build a reputation, word-of-mouth kicks in. Parents refer other parents. But how do these referrals typically happen?
WhatsApp.
Sound familiar? Tutors end up spending hours each week just coordinating schedules. It's exhausting, and it's time that could be spent actually teaching or resting.
During major exam periods like PSLE and O-Levels, enquiry volume naturally spikes.
In the final months before exams, many parents realise their child needs additional support and start looking urgently for a tutor. They book intensive sessions and hope for rapid improvement.
When results don’t materialise as quickly as expected, often because learning gaps take time to close, frustration can set in. In these high-stress situations, misunderstandings around expectations, scheduling, or payment are more likely to arise.
It’s rarely about bad intent. Parents are under pressure, disappointed, and anxious about outcomes. Tutors, meanwhile, are doing their best under compressed timelines and heavy workloads. But without clear upfront alignment, tutors often end up absorbing the operational and emotional burden.
Imagine if, instead of accepting every last-minute booking blindly, tutors and agencies could:
This isn’t about turning students away. It’s about creating better matches, setting realistic expectations early, and ensuring both parents and tutors start on the same page, increasing the chances of a positive outcome for everyone involved.
Here's the alternative: own your booking flow.
Instead of giving your phone number to every interested parent, give them a link:
kuai.io/your-name
On that page, parents can:
This reduces back-and-forth and helps set expectations clearly from the start.
When a parent books through your link, you receive:
Whether you’re operating independently or working with an agency, this creates a more structured, professional intake process for everyone involved.
But where do you put this link? Everywhere you already are:
The key is flexibility: you’re no longer limited to a single lead source. You can accept enquiries directly, alongside agency leads, and manage everything through one consistent booking flow.
Some tutors even print QR codes linking to their booking page:
Scan → Book → Done. No phone number exchanges needed.
For students you already have, a booking system helps too:
Less admin, more teaching.
Tuition agencies played an important role when finding a tutor was difficult. Today, with social media, reviews, and referrals making discovery much easier, many tutors are choosing more direct ways to connect with students, without heavy commission structures.
A simple booking link gives you:
If you're a tutor still managing bookings the old way, consider this: the tool exists. It's free to start. And it takes 30 seconds to set up.
Have questions about setting up a booking system for your tuition business? Reach out on WhatsApp — we're happy to help.