POLOKWANE – From learning to read in Gr 1 to preparing for final matric exams in Gr 12, learners face very different academic challenges at each stage.

For many parents and teachers, one support system keeps coming up as a game-changer: a tutor.

Educational psychologist Asnath Mojapelo says tutoring is not just for “struggling” learners. It’s a tool that can strengthen confidence, close gaps, and build skills that last through school and beyond.

“A tutor provides individualised attention that a classroom of 40 learners simply cannot always offer. That one-on-one space helps a child identify exactly where they are stuck, and more importantly, how to move forward,” said Mojapelo.

Here’s why tutoring matters across the grades:

Foundation phase (Gr R – 3):
This is where the basics are built: reading, writing, counting, and learning how to learn. At this stage, tutors help with phonics, number sense, and study routines.

“If we don’t catch reading and Maths gaps early, they compound. A tutor in foundation phase is really preventative. It builds confidence before the child decides ‘I’m just not good at school’.”

Intermediate phase (Gr 4 – 6):
Learners move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Subjects get more abstract, and homework increases. Tutors help learners organise work, understand instructions, and develop comprehension and problem-solving skills. This is also when learning differences like ADHD or dyslexia often become more visible.

“A good tutor can work with the teacher and parents to put strategies in place early, so the learner doesn’t fall behind emotionally or academically.”

Mojapelo added this is a big transition. “Learners choose subjects, face EMS, natural siences, and more formal assessment.”

Pressure and self-esteem issues peak here. Tutoring provides both academic support and structure. “Gr 8 and 9 learners need someone to help them with time management and exam technique. A tutor becomes a coach, not just for content but for how to learn,” she said.

Mojapelo added content becomes specialised and the stakes are high. “For matric learners, tutoring can mean the difference between a pass and a bachelor’s pass.”

She explained tutors help with past papers, subject-specific concepts in Maths, physical science, accounting, and essay writing in languages. They also help manage exam anxiety,” she said.

In Gr 10 to 12, Mojapelo explained this is where tutors see learners who are capable but overwhelmed. “A tutor helps break the syllabus into manageable parts and teaches resilience. In our province, where class sizes are large and resources vary, that extra support is critical for equity,” Mojapelo says.

She further explained with teacher shortages, curriculum changes, and uneven resources between schools, many learners miss concepts and never get a chance to revisit them.

A tutor can:

1. Fill specific gaps instead of reteaching everything.
2. Personalise pace by speeding up for advanced learners and slowing down for those who need it.
3. Build confidence, as many learners are afraid to ask questions in class.
4. Support parents who may not have the time or subject knowledge to help at home.

“Tutoring is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that we value education enough to invest in support. In a province trying to work toward equity in education, tutors help level the playing field,” she said.

Mojapelo advises parents to look for tutors who understand the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) curriculum, communicate with the school, and focus on skills, not just answers.

“Group tutoring, peer tutoring, and online options can also make support more affordable and accessible. Whether a Gr 1 learner is learning to sound out words or a Gr 12 learner is tackling calculus, the goal is the same: help the learner believe they can do it,” Mojapelo said.

“When a child feels seen and supported, their whole relationship with learning changes. That’s the real power of a tutor.”