Zuleyha Markar, Founder of The Tutory, is a testament to how passion and purpose can transform lives. Her journey, deeply rooted in education and family legacy, has been anything but conventional. With a legal career shaped by generations of lawyers in her family, she has evolved from a legal practitioner to an educator driven by a desire to make a difference in the lives of students.
Her educational path began at Ladies College, where the seeds of her love for teaching were sown. Even as a student, she found joy in helping others learn, tutoring relatives and creating mock exam papers. While initially inspired to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue a career in law, Zuleyha soon realized her true calling lay elsewhere.
Upon completing her LLB and being called to the Bar, she began practicing law. However, the unpredictable hours and the demands of advocacy led her to seek a path that allowed her to balance her personal life with her professional aspirations. Teaching, which had always been a passion, offered that balance.
“My transition from law to teaching came from a place of passion,” she explains. “While I practiced law, I found myself tutoring my sister’s students and realized how much I enjoyed it. That’s when the idea for The Tutory was born.”
In 2013, Zuleyha founded The Tutory, starting with just one student. Her vision was to provide structured academic support, something she herself had found lacking during her university years. What began at her dining table quickly grew into a full-fledged tutoring institute offering classes in LLB subjects and later expanding to cover O Levels and Advanced Levels for both local and British curricula.
The Tutory is more than just an academic institute—it is a space where students are nurtured, mentored, and supported in their educational journey. Zuleyha’s legal background played a key role in shaping her approach to education, instilling in her a meticulous attention to detail, strategic thinking, and a focus on ethics and integrity.
As the institute grew, Zuleyha identified an increasing need among students who struggled to fit into mainstream schooling environments but did not require special needs education. Recognizing this gap, The Tutory expanded beyond tutoring to offer a full-time school program specifically designed for children with learning difficulties. This initiative provided an inclusive and nurturing environment where these students could thrive, receiving the tailored attention and resources needed for academic and social success.
The Tutory now offers individualized attention through a team of specialized teachers trained to work with students with learning difficulties and special needs. Every student benefits from a customized approach, with lesson plans that suit their pace and abilities. Additionally, The Tutory incorporates therapy as part of its holistic approach, offering support to students who may require occupational, speech, or other therapeutic interventions. This comprehensive framework ensures that students not only receive academic guidance but also emotional and developmental support, helping them thrive in every aspect of their education.
Zuleyha’s commitment to supporting students with learning difficulties goes beyond academics. She understands that these children often face not only academic challenges but also emotional and social barriers that can impede their progress. The Tutory’s teaching approach is designed to address these unique needs, ensuring that students feel safe, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Teachers at The Tutory are trained to work closely with students, employing adaptive teaching methods that allow each child to learn at their own pace. This personalized approach helps to build confidence and ensures that students with learning difficulties do not fall behind in their studies.
In addition to academic support, The Tutory integrates a range of extracurricular activities that are essential for the overall development of children with learning difficulties. Programs such as public speaking, chess, and various sports like football and judo provide opportunities for students to improve their cognitive abilities, social skills, and physical well-being. These activities also help children build self-esteem and form meaningful connections with their peers, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Importantly, The Tutory offers schooling for children with special needs and learning difficulties for all grades, covering all subjects up to A Levels. By providing a structured yet flexible learning environment, students are able to progress from early childhood education through to advanced academic levels. With both Edexcel and Cambridge syllabi, The Tutory ensures that each student is well-prepared for their future, whether they continue in academia or transition to professional opportunities.
For older students, The Tutory offers both O Level and A Level programs under the Edexcel and Cambridge syllabi, accommodating both full-time and part-time students. This flexibility allows students to progress at their own pace while ensuring they are well-prepared for future academic and career opportunities.
Moreover, the institute has expanded its reach to early childhood education with a kindergarten and preschool program. This initiative focuses on nurturing curiosity and creativity in young learners, preparing them for the transition to primary school with a strong foundation in both academic and social skills.
Looking ahead, Zuleyha is excited to continue expanding The Tutory’s offerings. “We’re introducing full-time O Level and A Level programs, expanding our homeschooling offerings, and launching IELTS classes,” she says. Her vision is to create a holistic educational environment that caters to diverse learning needs and prepares students for global opportunities.
Zuleyha’s journey is one of empowerment—both her own and that of her students. As she reflects on her path, she emphasizes the importance of family support and the role her religious faith has played in her success. “My entrepreneurial journey has been transformative, and I owe much of it to the strength and encouragement of my family,” she says.
The transition from courtroom to classroom has been more than a career change—it has been a calling, one that Zuleyha has embraced with passion and dedication. In the next decade, she envisions The Tutory growing into a renowned educational institution with a global presence. Her goal is to continue nurturing students, especially those with learning difficulties, providing them with the tools they need to excel both academically and personally.