More S’pore parents value non-academic development but stress over children’s future: IPS study

Singaporean families have been increasing their spending on private tuition and enrichment classes over the past decade, with those residing in private homes paying the most, according to a 2026 survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). In 2026, parents spent $500 per month on private tuition, up from $242 in 2016, while enrichment class expenses rose from $48 to $260 during the same period.

Despite concerns expressed by 89.8% of parents that Singaporean children spend too much time in these areas, 70% said they would continue spending more on tuition and enrichment, with half citing peer pressure as the primary reason.

Parents mainly sought tuition to help their children reach their full potential rather than to address weaknesses. The time spent on tuition and enrichment varied depending on the type of housing. Children living in one- to three-room HDB flats spent the least time, averaging 2.53 hours per week, while those in landed homes and condominiums or private apartments spent more – an average of 5.01 and 4.29 hours per week, respectively.

However, the amount of time family members spent on academic coaching, which is distinct from tuition and enrichment, did not follow the same pattern. Parents in one- to three-room flats devoted the most time to academic coaching, at 4.50 hours per week, while those in four-room and five-room flats spent 4.12 and 3.87 hours, respectively.

The survey indicates that the increased use of paid tuition and enrichment by private-housing households does not necessarily replace academic support provided within the family. Despite these additional expenses, parents still agreed that tuition gave their children an advantage in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), with 84.9% believing this to be the case.

At least three-quarters of parents felt their children needed tuition to keep up with schoolwork and prepare for exams. Although the amount of time children spent on homework has decreased from 6.46 hours per week in 2016 to 4.3 hours per week in 2026, the study found that parents still valued holistic school fit over academic signals when choosing primary and secondary schools for their children.