By accessing or using our platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully. If you do not agree with these terms, you must not use our services.

1. User Accounts

You must provide accurate, complete, and current information during registration. Failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of your account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information and password. You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account.

2. User Conduct

Users agree not to engage in the following activities:

• Harassment or abuse of other users
• Fraudulent activities or impersonation.
• Uploading inappropriate, offensive, or illegal content.
• Disrupting the platform's functionality.

3. Pricing Changes

We reserve the right to change pricing at any time. Users will be notified of any changes in advance.

4. Payments and Refunds

Payment Terms:

• Payments for tutoring sessions must be made through our platform. Accepted payment methods include VISA, Mastercard, Zimswitch, Ecocash and Innbucks

Refund Policy:

• The tutor cancels the session.
• The session did not occur due to technical issues on the platform.

Rescheduling:

• Sessions can be rescheduled up to 24 hours in advance through the platform.

5. Tutor Responsibilities

Profile Accuracy:

• Tutors must provide accurate and up-to-date information in their profiles. Misrepresentation may result in account suspension.

Session Delivery:

• Tutors are expected to deliver sessions professionally and punctually.

Compliance with Laws:

• Tutors must comply with all relevant educational and legal requirements in their region.

6. Student Responsibilities

Participation:

• Students are expected to attend sessions on time and actively participate.

Feedback:

• Students are encouraged to provide constructive feedback and rate their tutors after each session.

7. Cancellations

Student Cancellations

Up to 24 Hours Before the Scheduled Session:

• Students can cancel or reschedule a session without any penalty if done up to 24 hours before the scheduled session start time. No charges will be applied.

Within 24 Hours of the Scheduled Session:

• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled session will incur a cancellation fee of [specified amount]. This fee compensates the tutor for the short notice and lost opportunity to fill the time slot.

Tutor Cancellations

Tutor-Initiated Cancellations:

• Tutors are expected to maintain their schedules accurately. If a tutor needs to cancel a session, they must notify the student as soon as possible. Tutors who frequently cancel sessions may face penalties, including suspension or removal from the platform.

No-Shows

Student absence:

• If a student does not show up for a session without prior notice, the session fee will still be charged, and the tutor will be paid for their time.

Tutor absence:

• If a tutor does not show up for a session without prior notice, the student will be fully refunded, and the tutor may face penalties, including suspension or removal from the platform.

8. Rescheduling policy

Students and tutors can reschedule a session up to 24 hours before the scheduled time without any penalty. Rescheduling within 24 hours ofthe session may be treated as a cancellation, and the respective fees mayapply.

9. Refund policy

Refund Eligibility:

• Refunds are issued in the following situations:
  • Tutor cancels a session.
  • Session did not occur due to technical issues on the platform.

Refund Process:

• Refund requests must be submitted within [specified timeframe] after the scheduled session. The platform will review and process eligible refunds within [specified timeframe].

10. Policy Changes

Right to Modify:

• The platform reserves the right to modify the cancellation policy at any time. Users will be notified of any changes in advance. Continued use of the platform after any such changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

11. Platform Integrity, Conduct & Technical Requirements

a. No Off-Platform Engagements
Tutors and students are strictly prohibited from exchanging personal contact information (such as phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles) for the purpose of conducting lessons outside the Smatutor platform. All lessons and communication must occur within the platform to ensure learner safety, quality assurance, and accountability. Smatutor records lessons for internal training and monitoring purposes. Any user—tutor or student—found to be facilitating or engaging in off-platform lessons will be subject to immediate disqualification and permanent account suspension.

b. Code of Conduct
All users are expected to behave respectfully and professionally during sessions. The following are strictly prohibited:

• Bullying, harassment, or abuse of any kind
• Use of vulgar or offensive language
• Discriminatory behavior based on race, gender, religion, or nationality
• Inappropriate or disruptive behavior during lessons
  Violations of this code may result in immediate account suspension or permanent removal from the platform.

c. Tutor Vetting and Monitoring
Smatutor verifies all tutors through:

• Qualification and credential checks
• Identity verification
• Demo class reviews
  We also conduct periodic quality checks through lesson recordings, user feedback, and platform audits. Tutors failing to meet performance or behavioral standards may be suspended or removed.

d. Technology and Environment Requirements
To ensure successful lessons, all users (tutors and students) must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A working laptop or tablet with a webcam and microphone
• A stable internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps recommended)
• An up-to-date browser and required software
• A quiet, well-lit learning environment, free from distractions

Users are responsible for testing their connectivity and devices before each session. If a class proceeds and one party is unable to hear or see due to personal technical issues, Smatutor will not be held liable and refunds will not be issued on that basis.

e. Dress Code
SmatTutor is an educational environment, and all users are expected to dress appropriately for their sessions.

• Clothing should be modest, clean, and suitable for a professional or school-like setting.
• Inappropriate attire (e.g., sleepwear, revealing outfits, or offensive graphics) is not allowed.
• Repeated violations of the dress code may result in warnings, suspension, or removal from the platform.

12. Intellectual Property

All content (including video courses, documents, and materials) uploaded to the Smatutor platform remains the intellectual property of the original tutor unless otherwise stated. By uploading content, the tutor grants Smatutor a non-exclusive license to host, display, and distribute that content solely for educational and promotional purposes on the platform. Tutors and students may not reproduce, distribute, or share any platform content outside of Smatutor without written permission.

13. Data Privacy and Security

Smatutor is committed to protecting your privacy. User data is stored securely and is used only for the operation and improvement of our services. We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties without consent, except where required by law.

For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

14. Limitation of Liability

Smatutor is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of the platform. While we aim to provide uninterrupted access, we do not guarantee the platform will always be available, error-free, or secure. Users agree to use the platform at their own risk.

15. Termination of Account

We reserve the right to suspend or permanently disable accounts that violate our Terms, engage in misconduct, or compromise the platform's integrity. In such cases, outstanding balances may be withhelddepending on the severity of the violation.

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from the use of Smatutor services will first be addressed through internal resolution procedures. If unresolved, disputes may be escalated to mediation or legal proceedings under the laws of the platform's jurisdiction.