Terms and Conditions
Tutors
1. Acceptance of Term and Conditions
By proceeding with a tutor arrangement through SparkTutors, you agree to the Terms and Conditions outlined below. The tutoring engagement shall be deemed effective upon the issuance of a Confirmation Note via WhatsApp, SMS, or email, and/or upon the commencement of the first tuition session by the assigned tutor, in accordance with the arrangements communicated to the client.
2. Eligibility
All tutors registering with SparkTutors must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and must have successfully completed the GCE “O” Levels or an equivalent academic qualification.
3. Accuracy of Qualifications and Document Verification
Tutors are required to provide truthful, complete, and accurate information regarding their academic qualifications and personal particulars.
Clients reserve the right to request verification of such credentials at any time. Where misrepresentation, falsification, or submission of fraudulent qualifications is detected, SparkTutors reserves the right to take appropriate action, including permanent removal from the platform and referral to the relevant authorities where necessary.
4. Professional Conduct and Lesson Standards
Tutors are expected to conduct all tuition engagements in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner. Where a tutor’s conduct is deemed inappropriate or unsatisfactory, SparkTutors may take immediate action, including termination of current and future assignments.
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General expectations for lesson conduct include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Tutors shall adhere strictly to the agreed lesson rates, duration, and schedule. Any changes must be mutually agreed upon with the client.
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A minimum of forty-eight (48) hours’ notice should be provided for any schedule changes. In cases of sudden illness or emergencies, supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate) may be requested.
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Tutors must be fully aware of, and agreeable to, the lesson location prior to accepting an assignment and are expected to make adequate transport arrangements.
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Tutors shall personally conduct all lessons and must not delegate, substitute, or send representatives under any circumstances.
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Punctuality is expected at all times, and tutors must not shorten lesson durations without prior agreement.
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Physical, verbal, or any form of inappropriate behaviour towards students or parents will not be tolerated.
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Tutors are expected to commit to assignments on a long-term basis, unless a short-term duration is expressly stated.
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Tutors should maintain regular communication with parents regarding the student’s progress.
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Any breach of these obligations without reasonable justification may result in a permanent record being placed against the tutor’s profile and, where appropriate, blacklisted across all SparkTutors platforms.
5. Commitment Period for Assignments
Unless otherwise stated, tutors are expected to commit to an assignment for a minimum period of three (3) months, approximately one (1) school term. Where a tutor is unable to fulfil this commitment due to exceptional circumstances, SparkTutors must be informed promptly to avoid misunderstandings or adverse records.
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Following the completion of the first lesson, tutors are expected to coordinate directly with the client regarding subsequent lesson scheduling. Any personal arrangements relating to payment terms or cancellation policies should be clearly communicated to the client at this stage.
6. Commission and Payment Process
Upon confirmation of a tuition assignment, a Confirmation Note (which includes the invoice) will be issued to both clients and tutors. Upon completion of the first two (2) weeks of lessons, clients are required to make payment for those lessons to SparkTutors. Thereafter, future lesson payments may be made directly to the tutor, unless otherwise stated.
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Where a client is unable or unwilling to remit SparkTutors’ commission, the tutor may be required to collect the commission on SparkTutors’ behalf and transfer the amount promptly.
7. Commission Structure
SparkTutors charges tutors a one-time commission equivalent to the first two (2) weeks of lessons for long-term assignments. This commission is typically collected through the client upon confirmation. Tutors are not required to take further action unless otherwise notified.
Any additional services introduced within the first month of engagement, such as additional subjects or lessons for siblings, must be disclosed to SparkTutors and shall also be subject to commission.
8. Tutor Cancellation and Client-Requested Changes
Clients have the right to request a change of tutor at any time. Where an assignment is cancelled or changed within the first four (4) weeks, SparkTutors will collect 50% of the applicable lesson fees, with the balance payable to the tutor.
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Tutors may forfeit their share of fees in circumstances including, but not limited to:
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Tutor-initiated cancellation (see point 10 for Lesson Postponement and Cancellations)
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Failure to meet reasonable teaching standards
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Misrepresentation of qualifications or experience
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Inability to produce supporting documentation
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SparkTutors will assess each situation based on the facts and reserves the right to make the final determination.
9. Tuition Rates
Tuition rates agreed upon lesson confirmation shall remain fixed.
Tutors may propose revised rates only when the student advances to a higher academic level, subject to client agreement.
10. Lesson Postponement and Last-Minute Cancellations
Upon accepting an assignment, tutors are expected to complete a minimum of four (4) weeks of lessons. Failure to do so without valid reasons may result in blacklisting.
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Tutors must provide at least two (2) days’ notice for postponements. Sudden illness may require medical documentation.
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Clients are required to provide a minimum of six (6) hours’ notice to SparkTutors or the assigned tutor in the event that the first scheduled lesson needs to be postponed or cancelled. Where such notice is not provided, the client agrees to compensate SparkTutors for services rendered and the tutor’s time and travel costs by paying fifty percent (50%) of the first lesson fee. This amount shall be divided equally between SparkTutors and the tutor. SparkTutors recognises that cancellations may arise due to unforeseen or emergency circumstances, and such situations will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
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For subsequent lessons, tutors are responsible for communicating their personal cancellation policies directly to the client. Such matters fall outside SparkTutors’ scope.​
11. Schedule and Location
Following the completion of the first lesson, lesson schedules may be adjusted by mutual agreement between the client and the tutor.
Lessons will be conducted at the address provided by the client, unless alternative arrangements are mutually agreed upon.
12. Tutor Matching, Dispute Handing, and Limitation of Liability
SparkTutors endeavours to exercise reasonable efforts to recommend tutors who best align with the client’s stated requirements and preferences. In the event of a disagreement or dispute between a client and a tutor, SparkTutors may, at its discretion, assist in facilitating communication or resolution. However, SparkTutors shall not be responsible for the conduct, actions, or omissions of either party and shall not bear legal liability for any disputes, losses, or issues arising from the tutoring engagement.
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SparkTutors reserves the right to restrict, suspend, or terminate services, and to withhold information where appropriate, unless disclosure is required by applicable law.
SparkTutors reserves the right to revise or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any such changes shall take effect upon publication, without the requirement of prior notice to clients.
Privacy Policy and PDPA
For Tutors and Clients
1. Acceptance of Term and Conditions
SparkTutors is committed to safeguarding the privacy of both tutors and clients. All personal information provided to us is handled with care, confidentiality, and respect. This Privacy Policy outlines how information is collected, used, and protected when you access or use the SparkTutors platform. By engaging with SparkTutors, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described herein.
2. Confidentiality
SparkTutors does not sell, rent, or trade personal data to third parties. Personal information is disclosed only where necessary to provide the services requested by users or where required by law. Sensitive personal data, such as NRIC details, uploaded certification documents, contact numbers, or full residential addresses, will not be publicly disclosed.
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Such information will only be shared with relevant parties strictly for service fulfilment, as outlined below.
3. Information Relating to Clients
A client refers to an individual who submits a request for tuition services through SparkTutors.
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Non-personal details related to the tuition request, such as lesson location (general area, eg. nearby landmarks, street), subject requirements, lesson frequency, and other assignment-related information, may be shared with prospective tutors for the purpose of securing a suitable match.
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A client’s full address and contact details will only be disclosed to the assigned tutor after the tuition engagement has been confirmed.
4. Information Relating to Tutors
A tutor refers to an individual who registers with SparkTutors to apply for tuition assignments.
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Information relevant to tutor selection, such as qualifications, teaching experience, gender (where applicable), and other assignment-related details, may be shared with clients to facilitate informed decision-making. Personal identifiers, including contact details and NRIC-related information, will not be disclosed to clients until a tuition assignment has been formally confirmed.
5. Consent for Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Data
By submitting your contact details to SparkTutors through our request or sign up forms or via any other mode of communication, you consent to SparkTutors collecting, using, and disclosing your personal data in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) for the purposes set out below:
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(a) to contact you through telephone calls or messaging platforms in relation to your tuition enquiry or request;
(b) to process and administer tutor matching and related operational matters;
(c) to share relevant personal information with the assigned tutor upon confirmation of a tuition engagement; and
(d) to send you tuition-related updates, notifications, or marketing communications via email or messaging platforms, including but not limited to SMS, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
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SparkTutors retains personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including tutor matching, assignment administration, and compliance with legal or regulatory requirements.
Personal data will be securely deleted or anonymised when it is no longer required for these purposes, unless retention is required by applicable laws or regulations.
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SparkTutors may store or process personal data using third-party service providers or cloud infrastructure located outside Singapore.
Where personal data is transferred overseas, SparkTutors will take reasonable steps to ensure that the receiving party provides a standard of protection comparable to that under the PDPA.
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You may withdraw your consent to the collection, use, retention or disclosure of your personal data at any time by contacting our Data Protection Officer at contact@sparktutors.sg. Such withdrawal may affect our ability to continue providing certain services.
6. Legal Disclosure
While SparkTutors takes reasonable measures to protect user privacy, personal information may be disclosed where required to comply with applicable laws, regulations, court orders, or lawful requests from government or regulatory authorities.
7. Updates to Privacy Policy
SparkTutors reserves the right to amend or update this Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice. Any changes shall take effect upon publication on the platform.
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For enquiries or clarifications regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at contact@sparktutors.sg