Otute Terms and Conditions
Last Updated: May 12, 2024
Welcome to Otute, an educational platform designed to connect Instructors, Learners, and Parents. By using the Otute platform ("Platform"), you agree to comply with the following terms and conditions. These Terms govern your access to and use of the Platform and all related services provided by Otute.
Please read these Terms carefully. If you do not agree to any of these Terms, you should not use the Platform.
1. Definitions
- Platform: Refers to Otute, a web-based platform facilitating the creation and enrollment of educational courses and tutoring services.
- Instructor: Any registered user who creates academies, offers courses (both online and offline), or provides ad-hoc tutoring services.
- Learner: A user who enrolls in courses provided by academies or individual instructors.
- Parent: A user who oversees a learner’s educational progress and receives notifications about enrollment, attendance, and payments.
- Academy: An entity created by instructors within the Platform to offer structured courses to learners.
- Courses: Educational offerings created by instructors, which can be conducted online or offline and are attended by learners.
- Ad-Hoc Tutoring: Tutoring services offered on demand by instructors, based on specific learner requirements. These services are subject to a bidding process.
- Bidding Process: A system through which instructors submit proposals (bids) for tutoring opportunities posted by learners. Learners select tutors based on the bid details, ratings, skills, and experience.
2. Instructor Responsibilities
- Instructors are responsible for creating and maintaining detailed and accurate course descriptions. Course descriptions should include learning objectives, course fees, schedules, and other pertinent information.
- Instructors are responsible for offering both online and offline courses. They should specify the mode of delivery when creating a course and ensure that learners understand the logistical requirements (e.g., tools for online learning, physical locations for offline classes).
- Instructors providing ad-hoc tutoring services are responsible for participating in the bidding process. They must submit competitive bids for tutoring jobs based on the learner's requirements, ensuring the bids reflect their skills, experience, and the requested time commitment. Instructors should maintain transparency about their qualifications and any relevant credentials.
- For offline courses conducted under academies, instructors are responsible for tracking learner attendance on the Platform. Instructors must ensure that attendance is updated accurately and promptly to ensure that learners and their parents have access to the correct data.
- Instructors are accountable for the quality and consistency of the services provided. Once a learner has enrolled or selected an instructor through the bidding process, the instructor is obligated to deliver the educational services as agreed upon, adhering to the schedule, course content, and quality standards described during the bidding or course creation process.
- Instructors are also responsible for managing their reputation on the Platform, as learner feedback and ratings contribute to their professional profile.
3. Learner Responsibilities
- Learners can enroll in courses provided by academies or individual instructors. They are responsible for selecting courses that meet their educational needs and for understanding the course details, including fees, schedules, and delivery modes.
- Learners understand that course prices, payment schedules, and attendance tracking will vary based on the type of course (online or offline). Learners must comply with the payment terms specified during enrollment.
- For academy-run courses, attendance will be tracked on the Platform, and monthly invoices will be generated based on the number of classes attended and the course pricing. Learners are responsible for reviewing and paying these invoices promptly.
- Learners looking for ad-hoc tutoring are responsible for reviewing instructor bids carefully, considering factors such as price, experience, ratings, and availability before selecting a tutor. Once selected, the learner must communicate effectively with the instructor to finalize tutoring schedules and expectations.
- Learners are responsible for maintaining a respectful and professional relationship with instructors, attending classes as scheduled, and providing feedback on their experience to help other users make informed decisions.
4. Parents’ Role
- Parents, if registered, can oversee the progress of learners (their children) enrolled in courses or tutoring services. They can view enrollment details, attendance records, and payment status.
- Parents will receive notifications related to their child's course attendance, enrollment status updates (e.g., enrollment confirmation, batch changes, timing updates), and payment reminders or acknowledgments.
- Parents are responsible for ensuring that learners comply with the course requirements, including attending classes and making timely payments.
5. Payments and Invoicing
- For Academy Courses: Otute facilitates the payment process for courses offered by academies. Invoices for academy courses are generated monthly, reflecting the course fees based on the number of classes attended. The invoice amount will match the pricing details shared during the course enrollment process. Attendance data recorded by the instructor will determine the final billing.
- For Ad-Hoc Tutoring: Payment for ad-hoc tutoring services is determined based on the bid selected by the learner and the terms agreed upon with the instructor. Learners and instructors will establish the payment structure, whether it is per session, hourly, or based on other agreed metrics.
- Payment Processing (Online): Otute supports payments via secure third-party payment gateways. While platform fees and payment gateway charges may apply, these fees might not be reflected on the invoice provided to the learner or parent. Learners will typically only see the agreed-upon course fee or tutoring charges.
- Payment Processing (Offline): Learners or parents may also choose to pay through offline methods, including bank transfer, cash, or other locally available options. In such cases:
- The learner or parent must share proof of payment with the respective academy or instructor. This proof may include transaction numbers, payment receipts, or any other relevant documentation to confirm the payment.
- The academy or instructor is responsible for confirming the receipt of funds and updating the Platform to reflect the payment status.
- Learners and parents should ensure that all payment details are accurate and submitted promptly to avoid disruptions in course access or participation.
- Payment Notifications: Learners and parents will receive payment reminders and payment confirmations through their preferred notification method (email, SMS, or both). These notifications will include payment due dates, amounts, and acknowledgment of payments received.
- Responsibility for Payment: It is the learner's or parent's responsibility to ensure timely payments, whether online or offline, to avoid any interruptions in accessing the course or tutoring services. If payment is not completed by the due date, Otute reserves the right to restrict access to the relevant services until the outstanding balance is settled.
6. Bidding and Tutoring Services
- Instructors offering ad-hoc tutoring services must submit bids in response to learner requirements posted on the Platform. Bids should include the instructor’s proposed rate, availability, and relevant qualifications or experience.
- Learners can review instructor bids and select a tutor based on various factors such as the bid amount, instructor ratings, skillset, and experience. Learners are responsible for reviewing all available information before making a selection.
- Once a learner selects an instructor, both parties must agree on the final terms of the tutoring service, including schedules, topics, and payment.
- Otute is not liable for any disputes that may arise between learners and instructors during the tutoring arrangement, but the Platform may offer mediation services to resolve such conflicts.
7. Notifications
- Learners and parents agree to receive notifications via email, SMS, or both, related to:
- Course enrollment status updates (e.g., enrollment success, batch changes, timing updates).
- Attendance tracking for academy-run courses.
- Payment reminders, invoices, and payment confirmations.
- During registration, learners and parents are required to provide a valid phone number and email address. By completing the registration process, you agree to receive notifications via SMS or email, and you acknowledge that SMS charges may apply based on your carrier’s rates.
- Users can manage their notification preferences via their account settings on the Platform. However, opting out of critical notifications (e.g., payment reminders) may affect your ability to access or continue using Otute services.
8. Limitation of Liability
Otute is a platform that facilitates the connection between instructors and learners. It does not guarantee the quality, effectiveness, or outcomes of any educational services provided by instructors on the Platform. Instructors and learners engage with each other at their own risk, and Otute disclaims all liability for any disputes, issues, or damages arising from their interactions.
9. Changes to Terms
Otute reserves the right to modify or update these Terms at any time. Any changes will be communicated via the Platform, and continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. It is the user’s responsibility to regularly review these Terms.
10. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about these Terms, please contact us at support@otute.com.