Tuition centers should not force parents to accept digital learning at full fees.

[MerlionInGermany]

deardear07\" post_id=\"1976912\" time=\"1589964225\" user_id=\"1429:

well it's still better than my child's centre.. who is so confident of their video lessons during this CB period. They don't have live lessons but have live consultations instead for entire level cohort (so it's a big group!), on their designated day n time, where students can listen in to teachers' explanations n ask questions, if they have any. my child ends up listening to the recorded lessons n just keep quiet during live consults coz some just ask n ask till they run out of time..

Each mth of lessons with them cost $300+ which is pricey! and they request payment by term. They force a 2 lesson per week during holidays, with no option to opt out. If u want to opt out, u will have to fill up a form, email n explain y u don't want or can't attend 2 lessons a week during holidays. They will keep giving u options to replace classes on another day instead. If u really can't attend, then they will put a credit note to ur account, to be used for next term (provided u still continue with them...). This wasn't the situation when we first enrolled-we were allowed to choose, and it was easier to request to suspend lessons at least for holidays.

When they started enforcing this some mths, I really want to pull my child out of this centre.. the only reason y i'm held hostage there is because my child has gotten comfortable n can somewhat learn from them. If I ever find another centre that is more flexible n can deliver results, I'm definitely pulling my child out from there.

Which center is this? Is it for sec sch or jc? Expecting pre school and pri school students to do consultations would be too much I suppose....

[MerlionInGermany]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1976921\" time=\"1589968097\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1976921 time=1589968097 user_id=53606]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1976919\" time=\"1589967476\" user_id=\"2964:

[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1976916 time=1589965601 user_id=53606]The tuition centre that charges me one term (3 months) in advance...that is the most painful on my pocket. I am still dragging until the final deadline...so painful to pay one shot thousands of dollars to continue those audio-only remote lessons.

Out of curiosity, why didnt you withdraw when you could? By now, it’s prob over the one month notification period to get back your deposit. If you rejoin within a year of withdrawal, you dont pay registration fee.[/quote]

I happened to like one of the tutors’ teaching style. Was considering dropping one particular subject...yes was highly aware of the 1-month “deadline” to give notice without forfeiting deposit. Was observing & evaluating the underperforming tutor’s standard...FFS she was Whatsapping goodness knows who, all throughout her lesson with the notification sounds on. The kids were like, Miss? Are you there? And asking each other Why is she not talking?

Have switched to a better tutor. But still retaining the good one.[/quote]Most people are aware of the withdrawal policies everywhere, and one month is very much the common standard. But for this particular center, the registration fee is waived if you rejoin within a year, which maybe some people dont know cos they usually highlight withdrawal policies at point of signing up, but they dont highlight “rejoining policies”.

But ok, I get that you want to stay because of the tutor. Paying for 2 subjects can be “traumatising”, I can understand that. Or opt for monthly payments cos you dont save even if you pay upfront, but again, I get that sometimes people prefer to pay upfront, myself included.

[zac's mum]

Am still on the lookout for 1-to-1 tutors though! Recommendations please.

[sky minecrafter]

Hi. Try speaking with the centres?


We were prepared to forfeit the paid up lessons, but, after communicating several times as the CBreaker measures developed, we were eventually refunded our deposit plus paid up lessons within a week of withdrawal.

[Serendipity]

sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"1976933\" time=\"1589970134\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=1976933 time=1589970134 user_id=130531]
Hi. Try speaking with the centres?

We were prepared to forfeit the paid up lessons, but, after communicating several times as the CBreaker measures developed, we were eventually refunded our deposit plus paid up lessons within a week of withdrawal.[/quote]

Did you withdraw because you are not happy with the online lessons? Or that there were no online lessons?

[deardear07]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1976922\" time=\"1589968274\" user_id=\"2964:

Which center is this? Is it for sec sch or jc? Expecting pre school and pri school students to do consultations would be too much I suppose....

For sec sch.. not sure if they do this for their pri sch section. It’s a supposed premier tuition centre but I won’t name names here.

Its not only about the consults.. it’s also forcing students to undergo, n parents to pay for 2 week lessons in a week during holidays. Some parents want to rest from having lessons too.. What if we aren’t in a circuit breaker n truly away for vacation for 2 out of 4 weeks? Must explain n explain y u can’t join them during holidays n y u also can’t join their replacement lessons when u come back...

[MerlionInGermany]

deardear07\" post_id=\"1976963\" time=\"1589983223\" user_id=\"1429:

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1976922\" time=\"1589968274\" user_id=\"2964:

Which center is this? Is it for sec sch or jc? Expecting pre school and pri school students to do consultations would be too much I suppose....

For sec sch.. not sure if they do this for their pri sch section. It’s a supposed premier tuition centre but I won’t name names here.

Its not only about the consults.. it’s also forcing students to undergo, n parents to pay for 2 week lessons in a week during holidays. Some parents want to rest from having lessons too.. What if we aren’t in a circuit breaker n truly away for vacation for 2 out of 4 weeks? Must explain n explain y u can’t join them during holidays n y u also can’t join their replacement lessons when u come back...

Ah now I know which one. At first I didnt know cos I thought they charge a bit lesser than $300/4 lessons. Anyway I just checked that they do it for their pri school students too. Also, I am reading that this arrangement is for the Circuit Breaker only, so for normal school holidays, if you are away, you wont have to explain etc. So anyway, not only do you not get a discount, you even need to pay doubly fast, like instead of paying for and getting 4 lessons in May, you pay for and get 8 lesson in May?

[phtthp]

sembgal\" post_id=\"1976423\" time=\"1589729379\" user_id=\"5559:

pipiyap\" post_id=\"1974783\" time=\"1589027194\" user_id=\"54922:

JIang education looks the worst among Chinese enrichment, replacing all classes with pre-recorded online training and no discount, rebate on the fees paid nor follow up classes. A lot of complaints online at ipetition that the general manager ignores parents’ feeeback.

Then it is up to parents to change ship.

Yes

After many parents complained about this centre and if the centre still Not \"Listening\" to parents' feedback, ignored or brushed aside their feedback, don't regret too late if one day realized many students had withdrawn. Be humble, \"listen\" to what these parents truly want for their children need for Chinese, be open and communicate with these parents constructively, so as to ease their worry and to calm down these parents. That should be the way. Open communication build trust

Parents won't pay thousands of $ per school academic Term, just for their children to listen to some pre-recorded video play-back, or parents unable to exit properly, when there are so many direct competitors around nowadays offering Chinese tuition, especially in this cut-throat highly competitive Internet online businesses technology world, at the mere click of a button or hyperlink. Parents can easily \"shop-around\" online readily, for another better alternative Chinese tuition centre

[Imp75]

Sorry to digress but has anyone done a calculation of the tuition fees you paid since young to say JC level? Its even more costly than a 4-year local uni course? Returns on investment not really there leh. Heart pain leh.That’s why I dont send my kids to tuition. Cos to me, w or without tuition, the end game is there. I dont think tuition will super boost my kids into president scholar or those overseas scholars calibre.

[Cloud Cloud]

Imp75\" post_id=\"1976985\" time=\"1590026020\" user_id=\"2358:

Sorry to digress but has anyone done a calculation of the tuition fees you paid since young to say JC level? Its even more costly than a 4-year local uni course? Returns on investment not really there leh. Heart pain leh.That's why I dont send my kids to tuition. Cos to me, w or without tuition, the end game is there. I dont think tuition will super boost my kids into president scholar or those overseas scholars calibre.

I have friends telling me not to waste money on enrichment. But I think they are lucky in that their kids are motivated learners and they have the time to guide. Parents guidance is also a form of enrichment. They really study the syllabus and guide as if they are the ones taking PSLE!