Do Children Really Need Private Tutoring for Preparing for the Mathematics Olympiad?
I was the kind of parent who was skeptical
at first whenever I heard about private tutoring.
In my mind I thought: isn’t school already enough? My child already gets lots of
assignments and additional practice from teachers.
So when a friend suggested private OSN Math lessons, I kept asking myself: is it
really necessary?
But the experience over the past few months
has completely changed my perspective.
How Is Regular School Learning Different from
OSN Preparation?
At school, my child seemed capable.
His math grades were always higher than most.
But once he tried to take the school-level OSN selection, he struggled.
The problems were far more complex, sometimes requiring special tricks that were never taught
in class.
According to research from the National Research Council (2000),
school learning emphasizes step-by-step methods,
while Olympiads demand a higher level of reasoning.
So it’s natural if even bright students at school still find OSN challenging.
This made me start thinking that maybe a special approach really is needed.
Is Private Tutoring the Answer?
At first I was unconvinced, because I thought private tutoring only meant more lessons.
But it turned out to be not that simple.
When I signed up at NgajarPrivat.com, I immediately noticed the difference.
OSN tutors don’t just repeat school material — they break down problems in ways that help my
child see patterns.
For example, a difficult number theory problem could be explained with a simple analogy.
According to Bloom (1984), one-on-one tutoring
can boost academic performance by up to twice compared to large classes.
And from my experience, it’s true — my child understood concepts much faster.
How Did Tutoring Affect My Child?
The most surprising change was in my child’s attitude.
Before, whenever he saw OSN problems, he got frustrated right away.
It felt like he wanted to give up instantly.
After joining private lessons through KoncoSinau.id, he
became more confident.
He said his tutor was very patient, never scolded him for mistakes, and instead gave encouragement.
That’s when I realized tutoring wasn’t only about material, but also about building a child’s mindset.
According to Dweck (2006), children with a growth mindset
are more likely to persevere through difficulties.
Private tutors often nurture this mindset, making students more resilient in facing Olympiad problems.
Is Online or Offline Tutoring Better?
I tried both options.
At first, I chose offline because it felt more natural.
A tutor from LapakGuruPrivat.com came to our
home, and my child could ask questions in person without worrying about internet
issues.
But later, due to schedule conflicts, we tried online classes.
It turned out to be equally useful.
The tutor could share screen, write formulas on a digital whiteboard,
and my child still interacted actively.
According to Means et al. (2013), online learning is proven to be comparable to face-to-face teaching if designed well.
So eventually, we decided on a combination: offline for intensive
sessions, and online for additional practice.
Does OSN Tutoring Overwhelm Students?
One of my concerns was that it might overload my child.
But actually, with flexible scheduling, it felt lighter.
Private tutors usually adjust lesson duration to the child’s condition.
If the child gets too tired, they don’t force them, but instead switch to a engaging style.
I once saw my child learning geometry through interactive apps — something
he never got in school.
Csikszentmihalyi’s (1990) flow theory shows that
when learning is enjoyable, kids become more focused and
productive.
That’s exactly what I noticed when my child studied with
a private tutor.
Does the Investment Pay Off?
Honestly, cost was a consideration.
But after seeing my child’s progress, I felt it was worth it.
Before, he could only solve 2 out of 10 OSN district-level
problems.
After three months of intensive tutoring, he managed to solve 6 correctly.
Even though he didn’t win, for me that was a huge leap.
I also saw other changes: he became more diligent, more patient, and less
likely to give up.
According to research from Universitas Indonesia (Putri, 2019), participating in academic competitions improves resilience and
grit.
So the benefits are not only academic but also character-based.
Which OSN Tutoring Platforms Can Be Trusted?
As a parent, I was careful.
After research and asking around, I ended up trusting three platforms:
– NgajarPrivat.com – focused on intensive guidance
with tutors experienced in OSN.
– KoncoSinau.id – flexible for online learning, suitable for
busy students.
– LapakGuruPrivat.com – offers many private tutors, both for Math Olympiad and other subjects.
From my experience, all three are trustworthy, with clear systems and skilled tutors.
Conclusion: Do I Regret Choosing Private Tutoring?
Not at all. In fact, I’m grateful I took the step.
Private OSN Math lessons not only helped my
child understand complex problems, but also built resilience.
From being doubtful at first, now I’m convinced this is an important
investment for my child’s future.
If other parents are still hesitant like I was, my
advice is simple: just give it a try.
Based on my experience, the difference before and after private
tutoring is truly remarkable.