Even before SSC results are out they are 'luring' parents with a bridge course offer for Rs. 1,000

After exhausting various means of attracting students, corporate colleges have now added a new dimension to their ‘luring'.

The colleges are attracting parents with an offer of a bridge course of one month for as little as Rs. 1,000. Parents seem to be buying the idea to check the quality of teaching apart from ensuring that the children do not waste their two months summer time with an eye on the intense competition for the entrance examinations.

It works both ways. While colleges are able attract students with an eye on retaining them for the next two years, parents feel students will have an understanding of the Intermediate course and also the quality of teaching so that they can take a final decision on the admissions. Principal of a corporate college agreed, “During these two months students will develop friendships and prefer to continue with the same group. It also gives us time to assess the interest and qualities of the students.”

Students disgusted

But the students are already disgusted. “We have just finished our SSC exams. They are not even allowing us to relax for a while after the grind we have gone through in the last one year for the board exams,” says Spandana, who just finished her 10 class. Her friend Sindhu too agrees with her views. “As parents we don't want to force them. But this offer gives us a chance to judge the faculty and take an informed decision,” says Shekhar Reddy, a father. Of course, everyone agrees that conducting classes during vacations is illegal. “It is just introducing the subjects to them than conducting regular classes,” claims a principal.

Concessions

The earlier practice of attracting students to their colleges was to approach the parents directly with offers of fee concessions based on the marks scored in 10 class. The practice still continues though SSC results are yet to come. Special offers are being given to parents on fee reduction up to Rs. 8,000 if the seat is booked now. The final concession will be decided once the SSC results are out. Those who don't reserve seats now will have to forego the special concessions. While some parents find no fault with the fee concessions and are ready to join their wards, some others have no such intentions.