03/06/2026
Asking for prepayment is not corporate greed.
It is having the courage to demonstrate accountability.
At the start of the year, many parents dislike the idea of being "locked in".
Prepayment can feel demanding.
Rigid. Inflexible.
On the other hand, flexible payment arrangements feel fair.
Pay only for lessons attended.
Stop anytime. No lock in.
What's not to like?
One parent recently shared:
"Another centre keeps cancelling classes. I complained before and it improved for a while, but now it has started again."
"We're only months away from IB. At this point, classes should be increasing, not decreasing!"
"I can't change tutor now because it's too close to the exams."
"The tutor has held me hostage."
The centre does not charge for the cancelled lessons.
Sounds fair, right?
But that misses the point.
No lesson, no fee.
Yet also no obligation to replace missed lessons.
No obligation to reserve capacity.
No obligation to prioritise the student.
When there is no commitment from the client, there is often no commitment from the provider either.
Yes, prepayment carries risk.
But it also creates accountability.
A centre that collects fees in advance is making a promise:
"We will reserve resources for you."
"We will protect lesson slots."
"We will be there until the end.”
The accountability runs both ways.
Dear parents,
If you feel your tutors are not committed, ask whether there was meaningful commitment from both sides at the start.
By the time the warning signs become obvious, it may be too late.
The reputable centres are already full.
The experienced teachers are already committed elsewhere.
And suddenly, the freedom to walk away is worth much less than the certainty that someone would stay.
Dear centre owners,
Flexible payment often feel customer-friendly.
But it is doing a favour to everyone except yourself.
Without longer-term commitments from families, you are likely making only short-term promises to your teaching team as well.
When teachers are uncertain, schedules become uncertain.
When schedules are uncertain, student outcomes suffer.
Strong promises require equally strong commitments.
Accountability is uncomfortable.
But accountability is exactly the point.