How to choose a tuition academy for your child: a checklist

There are tuition academies on almost every road, and they all promise results. A little checking before you enrol saves months of a child sitting in the wrong class. Use this list on a visit or on the phone. You do not need to be an expert. You only need to ask.

Before you start, decide what you need

• The goal: help with one weak subject, exam preparation, daily homework help, or a test such as MDCAT or ECAT.
• The level and syllabus: Matric, O Level, A Level or something else. Not every teacher teaches every syllabus well.
• Your budget for the whole year, not only the monthly fee.
• How far you can send the child, and the days and hours that fit school and rest.

Eight things to check

1. Who actually teaches. Ask for the name of the teacher for your child's subject, how long they have taught this syllabus and whether they will be the one in the room every day.
2. The size of the batch. Ten to fifteen children get far more attention than forty. Ask how many are in the batch your child would join.
3. The full fees. Ask for the monthly fee, any admission or registration fee, books or notes, test fees and anything extra in exam season. Ask for it in writing, and ask what happens to the fee if your child misses classes or leaves.
4. The timings. Check the days, the hours and how the schedule changes before exams. Make sure it does not clash with school or leave the child tired.
5. How progress is shared. A good academy sets regular tests, tells you the marks and meets parents when needed. Ask how you will know whether your child is improving.
6. A trial class or a first week. A fair academy lets your child sit in before you pay for months.
7. Attendance. Ask how absence is recorded and whether you are told if your child does not come.
8. The place and the people. Look at the building, the classroom and the supervision. If you want separate batches for girls and boys, ask. Ask how children are dropped off and picked up.

Questions to ask on the call

• Can I see the fee list in writing?
• Can my child attend a trial class?
• How many children are in the batch?
• How do you tell parents about tests and results?
• What is your policy if my child misses classes or I want to stop?

Warning signs

• A promise of guaranteed marks or a guaranteed position.
• Unwillingness to share the fees in writing.
• Pressure to pay for a whole year before any trial.
• No way to meet the teacher who will teach your child.
• No record of attendance or tests.

Where to look

Ask other parents first. Then visit two or three academies in person. You can also browse institutions on Academy+ Explore, which lists schools, tuition centres, sports academies and other classes by city, with the fees and timings that each institution has given. Those details come from the institutions themselves and can change, so always confirm with them before you enrol.