Education is changing faster than ever. For years, EdTech platforms have promised to make learning more accessible, offering online classes for kids and new opportunities for teachers. But behind the polished websites and big promises, many established platforms charge high marketplace fees. These fees often discourage the very people who bring these platforms to life, the tutors and teachers.
At PenguinLearn, we are creating a different path. Built by tutors and college students, our startup is reimagining EdTech as a fair, accessible marketplace where educators can thrive and families can find affordable tutoring options.
The Problem: High Fees and Locked Memberships
Most large education platforms take a significant portion of what teachers earn 30% to 50%+ of revenue through direct commissions, membership-only access, or indirect royalty pools. This is why so many tutors feel underpaid, and families feel overcharged. This model leaves educators underpaid and forces families to pay inflated prices for classes.
To make matters worse, many big EdTech platforms operate on a membership-only system. Parents are required to pay monthly or annual subscriptions just to access courses, even if their child only wants to try a few classes. This locks families into recurring costs, creating unnecessary financial pressure.
For parents searching for flexible, affordable online classes for kids, this is frustrating. The same goes for the tutors, especially college student tutors who are eager to teach and gain experience, the structure feels restrictive. Both groups deserve better.
The Urgent Need for Innovation in Education
The case for innovation goes beyond pricing; it’s about outcomes. Reading, math, Science and computer science rates in the United States are in crisis. Across the U.S., too many students are falling behind in the very skills that shape their futures.
- In reading, only 33% of 4th graders reach proficiency, while nearly 40% score below Basic, unable to meet even minimum grade-level expectations. (Nation’s Report Card)
- In math, the picture is even starker by 12th grade, 45% of students are below Basic, the highest rate ever recorded. (NAGB – NAEP Math)
- In science, fewer than 35% of 8th graders reach proficiency, and by high school that number drops closer to 1 in 5. (NCES / Nation’s Report Card)
- And in coding and computer science, the fastest-growing skill set of our century, only 6.4% of U.S. high school students are even enrolled in a foundational course. (Code.org Advocacy Coalition)
The pattern is clear whether in literacy, numeracy, science, or technology, huge numbers of children are not just behind, they are being left out entirely. And the gaps are not about talent or curiosity. They’re about access, opportunity, and affordability.
These aren’t just statistics. They represent millions of children who are struggling, falling behind, and losing confidence in their ability to learn. If traditional systems and expensive EdTech platforms aren’t solving this, we must try something new.
My Story: Why PenguinLearn Exists
As an immigrant, I’ve personally experienced the cracks in the education system. Access to quality learning often depends on money, geography, or luck factors no child can control. It took me almost 2 years with many many youtube tutorials and books just to learn the basics of python. If I had access to affordable classes it would have been tremendously easier.
That belief led me to start QuattronKids, my first tutoring organization. With the help of 20 dedicated college student tutors, we reached 1,300 students across 42 countries. What started small grew into something global, proving that when you give students access to passionate educators, they succeed.
Now, with PenguinLearn, I want to build on that success and scale access to affordable tutoring worldwide.
Our Solution: A Fair, Accessible Marketplace
At PenguinLearn, our vision is to create an ecosystem that benefits both families and educators.
Empowering College Student Tutors
Many education majors are looking for hands-on teaching opportunities. We provide a platform where they can teach their favorite subjects, gain real-world classroom experience, and earn fairly without losing a large portion of their income to platform fees.
Supporting Families with Affordable, Flexible Learning
Parents get access to engaging, affordable online courses for kids without being forced into expensive memberships. Instead of paying monthly fees for unused classes, families can choose the courses that best fit their child’s interests and budget.
We believe a tutoring platform should feel like a partnership, not a transaction. Teachers deserve fair pay, and families deserve affordable education that’s flexible and accessible.
A Global Mission
Millions of children globally lack access to consistent, quality education. By connecting motivated tutors, especially college students who (are eager to teach) want teaching experience with learners everywhere, PenguinLearn can help bridge that gap.
The impact of even one tutor can ripple through dozens of students, families, and communities. Our mission is to amplify those ripples until they become waves of change.
Why Now Matters
The world doesn’t need another expensive tutoring marketplace. It needs a platform that puts fairness, accessibility, and innovation first.
PenguinLearn is still early. But the vision is clear to reshape the future of EdTech by lowering barriers, empowering educators, and making affordable online learning without memberships a reality for families everywhere. If you would like to teach any subject please apply to join PenguinLearn and let’s change the world together!
About the Author
Akhtar Joya is the Co-Founder of PenguinLearn, the EdTech startup built by tutors and college students. I previously founded QuattronKids, which taught over 1,300 students across 42 countries. Learn more at www.penguinlearn.com
