Mendaki to train its tutors as mentors, integrate tech into tuition curriculum

SINGAPORE – As part of its five-year work plan from 2026 to 2030, Mendaki will explore ways to enhance its tuition programme to better cater to the needs of its students.

These include creating tailored programmes to accommodate students’ various learning abilities, training Mendaki tutors to be coaches and mentors, and incorporating technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), into the tuition curriculum.

Mendaki chairman Zaqy Mohamad said the tuition curriculum has to keep up with subject changes and enhancements made by the Ministry of Education in schools.

“Some parents may not be able to coach their kids. Therefore, we want to be able to provide the best for them,” he added.

One way of doing this, he said, is to invest in technologies like AI so that tutors can integrate them in their lessons.

He made these comments while observing Mendaki tuition classes on Sept 27 at Bedok Green Primary School, where he was joined by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim.

Mr Zaqy, who is also Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment, said that students who perform very poorly may not receive the personalised attention they need in school to help them improve in their learning.

“Sometimes schools may find it challenging to support them; sometimes it is a cultural element,” he said, adding that Mendaki tutors can help coach and mentor these students in a more personal and culturally familiar way.

Besides teaching students how to apply what they have learnt in schools for better academic performance, Mr Zaqy said Mendaki tutors can help build confidence and guide them on potential career pathways.

“This is one way in which social mobility can come about, beyond just salary ranges,” he said.

The Mendaki Tuition Programme currently benefits more than 9,500 students at 100 centres, including at Bedok Green Primary School, which also operates as a community-based centre on the weekends for students from other schools.

It caters to students from Primary 1 to Secondary 5 in government and government-aided schools, as well as madrasahs. Students can get help for subjects like English, mathematics, science and combined science (chemistry and physics).

During the visit, Associate Professor Faishal announced that Mr Mohamed Feroz Mohamed Akber, a colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces, will be appointed as the chief executive officer-designate of Yayasan Mendaki on Oct 1.

Replacing Madam Zuraidah Abdullah, who has served as chief executive since April 1, 2020, Mr Feroz’s official appointment will begin on Nov 1.

Prof Faishal, who is also Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, said that Mr Feroz brings with him a wealth of experience, having served more than 25 years in the SAF, as well as walked the ground and worked with the Malay community.

He said: “I am confident that Mr Feroz will be able to lead Mendaki to address new challenges and meet the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”