Getting free real-time tuition on the go

Students can upload their maths and science questions or a snapshot of their worksheets onto EduSnap. (From left) SMU graduates Chia Luck Yong, 27, Anders Tan, 29, and Shaun Tan, 26, plan to add more subjects as they get more tutors on board.
Students can upload their maths and science questions or a snapshot of their worksheets onto EduSnap. (From left) SMU graduates Chia Luck Yong, 27, Anders Tan, 29, and Shaun Tan, 26, plan to add more subjects as they get more tutors on board. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF EDUSNAP

Students who need help with homework can now get "virtual tuition", thanks to an app created by three Singapore Management University (SMU) graduates.

The free mobile platform called EduSnap, which allows students to seek help on the go, was started by Mr Chia Luck Yong, 27, Mr Shaun Tan, 26, and Mr Anders Tan, 29, who all graduated from the university last year.

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Students can pose questions they have trouble answering, or snap a picture of their worksheets and upload it onto the app.

They will then get replies in real time from teachers at the start-up's partners - 13 tuition centres and four voluntary welfare organisations. They are offering help free of charge.

"We don't want to promote giving answers directly, so instead, the teachers give advice and suggestions, and explain concepts to guide students," said Mr Chia.

EduSnap, which has been registered as a social enterprise, received seed funding from the Social Enterprise Association, which promotes social entrepreneurship in Singapore.

More than 1,000 users, about half of whom are secondary and junior college students, have downloaded the app since its launch in April.

The others are mainly parents who ask questions on behalf of their children in primary school.

For now, the platform covers mostly mathematics and science, but the team plans to include other subjects once they get more qualified tutors on board.

"We didn't think that it would be easy to get partners because we thought these tuition centres were all for-profit enterprises, so it came as a surprise when they were willing to help," said Mr Chia, who quit his job as an IT auditor in September last year.

The centres include The Pique Lab Learning Centre in Bukit Timah and Janus Academy in Marine Parade.

"Apart from branding, many also feel that the app is a good cause and a good way to help students," Mr Chia added.

To generate income, the app's three creators are also working on several projects that involve building mobile and Web applications for companies.

AMELIA TENG

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