By Becky Lo

"I don't guarantee results, but they always get them," said Mr Tong Yee.

"Them" would mean distinctions or at least very good grades in one of those hard-to-ace subjects: General Paper (GP) and English.

That is why the 34-year-old former teacher's tuition centre, School Of Thought (SOT), which he set up with three friends, has 170 students on its waiting list.

About 400 students are enrolled currently.

Mr Tong does not admit it, but he clearly is the "star" at SOT.

The other tutors take about eight classes a week, but he handles 16. Each class has 12 students at most.

Mr Tong, who teaches only GP and English, said that his students did well because they were encouraged to "genuinely care about what they write".

His students "never sleep" in class, he said.

The centre charges $180 a month for four GP sessions.

Mr Tong, who majored in drama at the National University of Singapore, thinks that his personality is what connects him with his students: "I find it very easy to dramatise issues and draw out an audience."

And he always makes a point of availing himself to his students, often playing the role of a counsellor.

Mr Tong and his colleagues produce a monthly magazine, Broader Perspectives, which has news analyses and essay tips.

About 16,000 copies are sold a year and eight junior colleges have made it compulsory reading for their students.

Mr Tong makes about $11,000 a month from teaching, directorial fees and the magazine's earnings.

SOT's founders have now started a cafe too. Its name? Food For Thought, of course.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 15 June 2008.