Direct Setting: The Biggest Threat to Tuition Bureaus — and How We Can Overcome It Together
Tuition bureaus have been the backbone of home tutoring services for decades, connecting parents with reliable, verified, and passionate teachers. Yet, one persistent challenge is hurting every bureau in our industry:
👉 Direct Setting between Parents and Tutors.
This happens when a tutor and parent mutually agree to bypass the bureau, eliminating the commission. The bureau invests effort, time, and resources to arrange the connection — but ends up with nothing.
Not only is this practice unfair, but it also weakens trust, professionalism, and the future of the tuition bureau ecosystem.
Why Does Direct Setting Happen?
1️⃣ Unregistered Tutors — Tutors sent without proper onboarding feel no commitment to the bureau.
2️⃣ Incomplete Documentation — Without ID, qualification proof, or verification, tutors feel “untraceable.”
3️⃣ Dishonest Tutors (especially aged 20–25) — Many young tutors see bypassing as a shortcut to save money.
4️⃣ Parents Encouraging Bypass — To reduce fees, parents themselves sometimes suggest direct settings.
5️⃣ No Binding Agreements — Without written policies, both sides can easily deny involvement.
Common Problems Faced by Bureaus
Delayed or denied payments by parents
Tutors quitting midway without notice
Fake tutor profiles or exaggerated qualifications
Parents expecting top-quality teaching at bottom-level fees
Bureau reputations damaged by unverified tutors
Solutions to Protect Bureaus and Strengthen the System
✅ 1. Create a “Defaulter Tutors” Webpage
Every association should maintain a shared webpage listing tutors who have been caught doing direct settings with parents.
This acts as a warning system for all bureaus.
Blacklisted tutors will think twice before cheating again.
Click here to visit the default tutors List….
✅ 2. Move to Paid Tutor Registration
Instead of free registrations, bureaus should encourage tutors to pay a small registration fee.
Suggested amount: ₹500–₹1000
Assure tutors that this will be adjusted in their first confirmed tuition(s).
Serious tutors will happily pay, while dishonest ones will be discouraged.
✅ 3. Do Not Send Tutors Without Documents
A strict document-first policy is essential.
Verify ID proof, qualifications, address, and photograph before sending them to clients.
This reduces risk and builds trust with parents.
✅ 4. Collect Family Contact Numbers
Bureaus should also take contact numbers of the tutor’s spouse or parents as a backup.
This adds accountability.
In case of disputes, tutors cannot easily vanish.
✅ 5. Transparent Communication with Parents
Parents must be informed that:
They are protected with replacements and grievance handling only if the tutor is officially hired through the bureau.
Direct settings may save a small fee upfront, but if the tutor leaves midway, the parent is left without support.
✅ 6. Encourage Professionalism Across Bureaus
Parents often bypass because they feel bureaus are “just giving a number.” We must:
Present ourselves as service providers (screening, verification, safety, support).
Regularly follow up during the first month of classes.
Reward loyal tutors with priority assignments.
Conclusion
Direct setting is not just a financial loss — it’s a threat to the credibility and future of tuition bureaus.
By implementing paid registrations, strict document checks, shared blacklists, and professional accountability systems, we can discourage dishonest tutors and educate parents on the value of working through bureaus.
As an association, our responsibility is to set common standards, share information, and protect each other’s interests. Together, we can build a trusted ecosystem that benefits parents, tutors, and bureaus alike.
💡 The solution is unity, discipline, and professionalism. Let’s protect our industry together.
