A Hostile Call

Aside from the comprehensive review for the high school entrance test, we also offer refresher courses which, unlike the comprehensive which include lectures and detailed explanation of each item, consists of different types of tests. The purpose of which is to get the student ready for the actual test. We see to it that the distinction between the two programs is explained to the client before we process the enrollment. But since the fee for the comprehensive review is twice as much as the refresher course, some parents prefer the cheaper and shorter program.

Early last month, a parent called us complaining about how we handle our refresher course. She said that her daughter did not understand anything because we didn't give any lecture. She also asked what kind of review do we offer that we just gave out exams and the students have to do the hard work while the teachers are paid for watching the students take the exams.

The teacher who answered the phone explained why there was no lecture, at the same time countered what the client said about 'teachers being paid while watching.' He made it clear that though we just gave out exams, we explain the answer to each item but we don't expound on the basic. (eg. 'the answer is letter b. gerund because a gerund is formed by putting verb+ing together and that it is used as noun' but we don't explain that gerund is a verbal which is verb in form but functions as other part of speech like noun, adjective and adverb)

The parent  ranted on about her daughter's being an honor student in her school and asked why she got less than half of the number of items. She said we are all incompetent and that she wanted a refund, apparently forgetting that the form she signed states that payments are 'non-refundable.' And after stressing the fact that we don't start our lessons with a prayer, she slammed the phone down.

We got ourselves ready with our explanation and evaluation of the student who was actually mediocre and not exceptionally bright like the mother claims. She didn't come..

People have a tendency to overreact especially if the one concerned is a person they care about. It is not, however, an excuse to judge and belittle other people whom they never even met..