Is it okay for tutors to post blurred student work online in Singapore?

Even blurred student work may still be identifiable through handwriting, question layout, or school-specific formats. Under Singapore’s PDPA, this can still be considered personal data. Sharing it without proper consent is a privacy risk.

Why do some tuition centres still post student results?

Many tuition centres use grades to build credibility quickly, but this may create pressure and comparison anxiety. It also raises privacy and ethical concerns if consent is unclear or obtained under pressure.

How can I tell if a tutor is effective without seeing grades?

Look for tutors who explain their teaching approach, provide structured systems, and focus on long-term learning habits. Effective tutors build consistency and confidence — not just fast grade jumps.

Is it legal for tutors in Singapore to share student work on WhatsApp or Facebook?

Under Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), any material that can reasonably identify a student — including photos, handwriting, or answers — cannot be shared without clear, informed consent. Sharing in group chats or social media can violate this law.

What should I ask a tuition centre in Singapore before signing up?

Ask about their teaching process, how they track progress without relying on grades, and what ethical safeguards they have to protect your child’s privacy. Also check if they comply with PDPA guidelines.

Why I Don’t Post Student Work — And Why Ethical Tuition Marketing in Singapore Matters

ethical tuition practicesfor parents in Singaporelearning differencesneurodiversity

30 Jun

Written By lim hwee choo

“From F9 to A1 in 3 months!”

“Guaranteed distinction — see the student’s test paper here!”

CT-1 robots hold exaggerated tuition ads like “From F9 to A1” and “Guaranteed Distinction” in a satirical classroom scene. — Proof-based ads may grab attention — but real learning isn’t a marketing gimmick.

If you’re a parent in Singapore, you’ve likely come across such tuition ads. Screenshots of chat messages, marked scripts, and name-blurred papers flood social media. Some even identify the student’s school.

This style of proof-based advertising has become increasingly common in the tuition industry. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s ethical.

🚨 What’s Happening in Singapore’s Tuition Market

CT-1 robots illustrate ethical concerns in Singapore’s tuition market: a tutor offers an F9-to-A1 flyer, a worried parent views student work on a phone, and an official stands beside a sign labeled “MOE Ethical Guidelines.” — Singapore’s tuition market faces growing scrutiny — CT-1 highlights the need for ethical marketing, informed consent, and MOE guidelines that protect student privacy.

In 2025, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing criticised tuition centres for unethical marketing practices, including:

Distributing flyers at school gates, including to Primary 1 students
Posting testimonials and student work without proper consent
Exploiting parental fears to sell tuition (Mothership, 2025)

According to Channel NewsAsia (2025), the Ministry of Education (MOE) is now working with the Advertising Standards Authority to develop a formal code of conduct for tuition advertising.

Meanwhile, researchers at the National Institute of Education (2024) found that nearly 60% of students in high-pressure school environments reported anxiety symptoms, with neurodivergent students at greater risk.

These developments show that the conversation around ethical tutoring is not just opinion — it’s backed by national policy and research.

🗣️ Why I Still Say No to Sharing Student Work

Some parents ask:

"I understand you don’t post publicly... but could I just see a real student’s paper, with the name removed?"

That’s a fair question. You’re trying to make an informed decision. But even with consent or anonymity, I choose not to share actual student work. Here’s why:

1. 🔍 Even Without Names, Student Work Can Be Identifiable

In a small country like Singapore, anonymity is fragile. Handwriting, question types, even paper format can reveal the school or student involved.

This is especially risky for students with learning differences or mental health conditions, whose written work may reflect personal struggles.

If it’s not my work, I don’t share it. Not online. Not privately. Not as proof.

This is aligned with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), which protects any data that can reasonably identify an individual (PDPC, 2023).

2. 🧠 Progress Isn’t Always on Paper

Yes, many of my students improve their grades. But here are some less visible wins:

Completing a full exam paper for the first time
Studying daily for 30 minutes without melting down
Overcoming fear of failure
Asking questions instead of giving up

These outcomes don’t appear on test scripts. They appear in how a student learns to trust themselves again.

Tan (2022) notes that for neurodivergent students, success is often defined by progress over perfection — a shift in mindset, not just grades.

📃 What About Consent?

CT-1 robots on a tilted scale show consent outweighed by pressure from tutors, parents, and social media. — When pressure outweighs consent, ethical lines in tuition marketing get blurred — CT-1 reminds us where the balance should be.

Some might say:

“But what if the student or parent wants their work shared?”

Even if consent is given, I believe it’s not always informed or pressure-free. Students may feel obligated. Parents might not understand the long-term risks.

More importantly, selective sharing tends to highlight only the top performers — which creates skewed expectations and comparison anxiety.

That’s why I follow a single standard: I never share student work, even with permission.

⚖️ What You Can Ask Instead

You deserve to know how a tutor works. But worksheets and testimonials aren’t the only way.

Ask:

What is your teaching philosophy?
How do you support students who struggle or shut down?
What systems do you use to build consistent habits?
How do you personalise support for students with ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety?

🧰 What I Share Instead

To help you understand my methods, I share:

✅ Recreated examples (based on real patterns)
✅ Composite case stories (anonymised)
✅ Study routines designed to support focus and calm
✅ Visual tools that support home learning
✅ And of course, CT-1 — our cheerful, cardboard robot mascot

👓 Who Is CT-1?

CT-1 sits at a wooden desk beside a student robot, gently guiding them through a worksheet in a cozy, well-lit study space. — Learning is a shared journey — CT-1 supports every step with structure, care, and calm guidance.

CT-1, our friendly study buddy, reminds students that learning is a process, not a performance.

CT-1 doesn’t do the teaching — but he represents the values behind my approach: structure, kindness, time awareness, and emotional safety.

🔄 My Ethical Teaching Pledge

I don’t post or share student work — even with names removed
I don’t use private messages as testimonials
I don’t treat student results as marketing content
I do share insights, strategies, and systems that help real learners

Because what your child needs isn’t a spotlight. They need a safe, structured space to grow.

CT-1 holds a clipboard with a colorful checklist showing an ethical pledge not to share student work or use results as marketing, set in a warm classroom scene. — CT-1’s Ethical Pledge: No screenshots, no hype — just respectful, student-first support.

🌏 If You’re a Parent in Singapore...

And you’re looking for:

A tutor who protects your child’s privacy
Support for learning differences
Academic structure grounded in empathy

Then we might be the right match.

You won’t find screenshots here. Just honest, consistent support — from someone who respects the journey.

CT-1 stands beside a student robot in a heart-shaped learning space labeled Empathy, Privacy, and Structure. — A safe learning space built on empathy, privacy, and structure — with CT-1 by your child’s side.

🔊 FAQs

Q: Are tutors allowed to post student work if names are blurred?
A: Not necessarily. Under the PDPA, even "anonymised" data can be considered personal if it can be used to identify someone (PDPC, 2023).

Q: Isn’t it helpful for parents to see examples?
A: That’s why I share recreated and anonymised examples that reflect real challenges — without risking student dignity.

Q: Are these marketing concerns officially recognised?
A: Yes. The Ministry of Education has called for ethical standards in tuition marketing (Mothership, 2025), and a code of conduct is being developed (CNA, 2025).

📩 Want to Learn More?

Visit: www.chickentimer.com
Read more: www.chickentimer.com/blog
Contact: www.chickentimer.com/contact

🖊️ References (APA Style)

Channel NewsAsia. (2025, February). Tuition advertising in Singapore under review as MOE flags unethical practices. https://www.channelnewsasia.com

Mothership. (2025, February). Chan Chun Sing criticises unethical tuition marketing tactics. https://mothership.sg

National Institute of Education. (2024). The psychological cost of academic performance culture. NIE Research Bulletin.

Personal Data Protection Commission. (2023). Guide to the Personal Data Protection Act for private education institutions. https://www.pdpc.gov.sg

Tan, M. Y. (2022). Understanding learning struggles among neurodivergent students in high-pressure education systems. Singapore Journal of Educational Research, 18(2), 123–134.

student privacyethical tuition singaporeneurodivergent studentstuition marketing red flagsspecial needs tuitiondyslexia and adhd supporto level tutor singapore

lim hwee choo

I am a full time educator in Singapore specializing in math and science related subjects as well as assisting students with differentiated modes of learning.

http://www.chickentimer.com