BYJU’S Testing At-Home One-On-One K-12 Tuitions Biz Model

Edtech decacorn BYJU’S has launched a one-on-one home tuition pilot programme to access a new target group in the K-12 market.

The home tuition programme has around 100 teachers and already hosted nearly 650 classes, sources told ET. The new offering is called BYJU’S Home Tuitions and is currently available across all of Bengaluru and Patna, according to the edtech’s website.

Its website says, ‘BYJU’S certified tutors’ take classes at home, with video content to explain key concepts, as has been the edtech’s modus operandi. For now, users can register for only science and maths.

Incidentally, BYJU’S is looking to expand the pilot project across the country, as the edtech decacorn is inviting tutors from across the country to apply. The edtech is accepting applications from anyone who wants to teach, even students who are pursuing relevant undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.

“We are looking for passionate tutors who can be our partners in changing the way home tuitions are taken across India with BYJU’S pedagogy,” said the edtech on its application website for home tuitions. BYJU’S has also mandated the ownership of a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler to be eligible for taking home tuitions.

BYJU’S Home Tuitions come at a time when the edtech is undergoing a revamp following a difficult 2022. The edtech was constantly surrounded by controversies last year for reasons including delayed financial reporting, layoffs, unpaid loans and even allegations of mis-selling.

The edtech decacorn has also been on a cost-cutting drive since mid-2022 in a bid to achieve profitability in 2023. Further, it has recently said it would not renew several of its sponsorship deals with FIFA, ICC and BCCI to cut costs.

To address the allegations, BYJU’S recently implemented a four-tier tech-driven internal sales process which replaced its direct sales process. This process would be entirely remote and inclusive of a centralised tech-driven audit process which will ensure all sales go through three rounds of checking, BYJU’S said in a statement.

The home tutoring space is extremely fragmented in India, as no clear regulations exist for the segment. While the pilot project is still in its early stages, BYJU’S will still face the risk of tutors undercutting the company’s pricing and going independent.