Putting the Student's First

I had an interesting experience yesterday. I must confess when I encounter 'horrible' service I am always surprised. I guess I must be a little naive.

My wife enrolled in a local college course. This course has some very rigid qualifications including an admission exam that 80% of the people who write is fail. The course does also have a minimum number of people required to run. Sound pretty simple right?

Well she was concerned about the course starting, because it actually has not run in almost 2 years because of the qualifications. We went to the college 2 weeks before the course was scheduled to start to find out if it would run. The lady at the college checked the computer and told us there are enough people registered and the course will start January 24th at another facility in town. GREAT! The woman also stated if the program was to be canceled we would receive a call.

So on the start date I cover my classes (my wife does not drive) and run her out to where classes are being run. The building is locked, nothing on the door. We drive back to the college (the other end of town) park and go inside. In the Continuing Education Office they is a group of very unhappy adults, who are expecting to start a computer class at the college. The course has been delayed starting, but the students (all adults) have not been informed.

Upon inquiring about my wife's course she is told there are not enough students, so it won't start till March of later. (no offer of refund).

I am totally blown away! If this is how they run their business, do we really want to be part of it? Going across the boarder to the USA is looking pretty good!

Now if I did business this way in my martial arts school, I would be out of business. Parents when you visit a martial art school ask what the Mission and Vision of the school is (Our local college does not seem to have one posted for the public, in fact their website looks like a dating service at first glance).

Ask other parents about the operation of the school. Do they know what they are doing? Is it well run?

Here is the Mission and Vision of my school, Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute. Read them and look for something similar in the schools you are considering for your child's martial art education.

Martial Arts, like any educational entity is a service industry. Only accept great service