New Corona Monthly Fee and Tuition Full time off or online?

New Corona Monthly Fee and Tuition Full time off or online? May 15 19:49

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, we have been forced to respond to cram school, sports classrooms, schools, etc. by closing school and online. As he continued to refrain from going out, he was constantly tweeting about "monthly fees and school fees" on the Internet. I have to pay the full amount of money even though the situation is different from before. (Daiji Takahashi, Reporter, Network News Department, Yohei Kato, Shinichiro Kuninaka)

Lessons, no refunds?

"By the way, what happens to children's lessons? I also have a monthly payment that I paid in bulk ..." In

late April, a reporter worried about this was a study in Tokyo where he passed his son through. I contacted the classroom by phone.

Then, "We are open with a small number of people, so it's okay if you come. But because some parents are worried, we are extending the transfer period specially until the end of the year. Sorry for the refund, but I can not do it." Reply.

The honest response was "What are you doing?", But I'm still worried that I can get through now. For the time being, I hung up the phone saying, "Please calm down, please."

I don't know when the new coronavirus will end, so I'd like you to refund it if possible. But I hate that my son is always willing to go through and has trouble with the classroom you are taking care of. What should I do?

Dissatisfaction continues on SNS

Is there a parent who has a similar feeling? I checked it on SNS. Then ...

"I wonder if I can stop the lessons (English) for my children until Corona calms down ... I received a bullish notice that I will not reduce or refund even if the classes are continued."

"Swimming for children's lessons is now closed. However, it is not a refund, but a transfer lesson. I pay monthly fees for lessons that I can not go. Transferring is not easy because I work together."

I found many tweets like this.

Will you resume? In the first place, I'm worried about restarting ...

"I wanted to refund even the monthly fee, so I consulted, but I can not refund it. I have some distrust ..."

I was able to hear from a woman in her 30s living in Osaka prefecture who tweeted so. A woman sends three children to an English conversation class and pays a monthly fee of just under 9,500 yen per person.

I have been consulting with my husband to wait for the children to be available from mid-March, but I was asked to pay a certain amount of "expenses" while I was absent.

Woman
"I asked my teacher if I could cancel the membership and get a refund for what I paid as a monthly fee. Then, I could extend the transfer period to September, but I could not refund it. I don't know if I can make a reservation, but I couldn't help my teacher.

After that, we received an emergency declaration and decided to close the English conversation class until the end of May.

The monthly fee of less than 60,000 yen already paid for April and May will be allocated to June and July, respectively.

However, although the number of new infected people is decreasing in Osaka, we cannot predict whether the classroom will start in June.

Female
"Even if the classroom starts, I'm worried that I will not get infected in a place where there are no windows. My husband says," I can not replace the lives of the children, I think the money is good anymore. "Certainly so However, 60,000 yen is a little expensive. I wish I could come back just for what I paid. "

The situation in the classroom ...

On the other hand, there were circumstances on the side of providing lessons. We interviewed SAPIX, a major study institute in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This school has already decided to cancel face-to-face classes until May 31, but we do not refund tuition fees.

After the face-to-face class became impossible, the teaching materials that had been handed over at the school building were sent to each home by mail, new lesson videos were delivered, and questions could be asked online using the video conference system. The mechanism has also been arranged.

Up until now, we haven't done online support at all, so new costs have been incurred such as the maintenance of the internet connection of the school building where the instructor is enrolled and the deployment of tablet terminals.

In addition to classes, we also provide members with information such as past entrance exam data in order to respond to requests.

The person in charge said, "We have received strict opinions about tuition fees, but we would like to provide services that match the monthly fees."

Reduced appeal even for tuition

Many college students, who are unable to take classes on campus, are increasingly calling for reductions because they do not have the environment for learning.

This is Tomoki Kawamura who entered Osaka University of Arts. I major in performing arts. The signature activity, which started on April 22, has attracted over 800 supporters in about three weeks, including graduates and former teachers.

Practice saxophone in your room, sing an opera in the next room

How did you start your activities? When I asked Mr. Kawamura, he talked about the reasons unique to the art university.

Mr. Kawamura
"When I major in performing arts, I am having an impact that I cannot use the theater facilities at the university or the lesson room with a mirror. Even students majoring in lighting and sound will be at home. Has no such facilities and learning opportunities are almost completely lost. ''

Mr. Kawamura, who has just entered the school, has not yet taken classes on campus. The online class started on May 8th, but he said something unexpected happened.

Mr. Kawamura
"I heard from a classmate who practices saxophone," I am practicing vocals in the opera in the next room, so it will no longer be a lesson. "

Unlike the case where one teacher deals with tens or hundreds of people, there are many cases where one-to-one classes are held. He told me that not only the detailed nuances were not transmitted through the screen, but I was not able to establish a direct connection with the teachers, and the expectations I had drawn were weakened.

It is the financial burden that is pushing the students further. In the case of Mr. Kawamura's university, tuition fees range from 850,000 yen to 1.17 million yen, although there are differences depending on the department. In addition to this, "facility equipment costs" are required. The department that majors in the highest music is supposed to pay 650,000 yen.

Mr. Kawamura:
Many students were studying while working part-time at local theater companies and concerts while earning school expenses and living expenses. However, now all these activities have stopped, and much more is to keep living instead of tuition. Some students are full of energy. ''

In late April, signatures for 500 people gathered, and Mr. Kawamura e-mailed the university with a request to reduce tuition fees. I am waiting for a reply from the university now, but I am appealing for a flexible response.

Kawamura's
because it is "unprecedented situation, correspondence of the university, such as delaying the start the new semester of classes I think that it is appropriate. However, although can not be normal learning, is unacceptable to shall pay the same tuition I want you to accept that there are many such voices. ”

Mr. Kawamura, who attends Osaka University of Arts, responded to our interview, "Inquiries regarding tuition fees have been received from multiple other students. We are now looking at the movements of local governments and other universities." doing.

"No reduction" What is the view of the university

How does the university respond to these student voices? The statement posted on the website by Waseda University on May 5 attracted attention.

A text by President Aiji Tanaka entitled "About Waseda University's approach to tuition fees". There have been a number of calls for reduced tuition fees, and "Waseda University will not reduce tuition fees or experimental training fees," he declared.

The reason for this is that "the university's tuition is paid for the education for 4 years, 2 years, or 3 to 6 years, equally divided by the number of years." ..

On the other hand, we decided to provide support funds for students affected by the spread of infection. There were various opinions about this on the Internet.

"I know that you can't reduce your tuition because it costs a huge fixed amount."
"This means that you can fulfill your accountability. " " You can't
use the facility, teach the classroom, or practice, but why don't you pay the full amount?" Is
n't that right ? " " I think that excuse doesn't work in the ordinary service industry. "

In response to our interview, Waseda University said, “In addition to continuing to buy books at the library, we are continuing to maintain existing facilities and renovating the system so that we can support online classes for several years. It is in operation. Due to the nature of the tuition fee, which is such that the costs for such things are leveled and paid, those who enrolled in any academic year receive the same amount. "

In addition, “I understand that this year is a special situation, but I would like you to understand that it is a preparation for all students to have an opportunity to receive education while protecting students from the risk of infection. I think. "

First check If you are not satisfied, consult

It is said that the National Life Center is continuously consulting about monthly fees and tuition, but the person in charge said, "The contents are only understandable, consumers do not have a fault, but only on the business side. It doesn't mean that there is a problem. "

On top of that, it is important to confirm the contract, including the existence of the agreement, regarding costs, etc.

He said, "If you are not satisfied with the explanation you received, or if you do not agree to the discussion in the first place, please call the Consumer Hotline 188 and ask."

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the unusual situation of spending time that has never been experienced continues. Through the interview, I realized that no matter how they were placed and what they wanted to do, everyone was able to quickly converge and seek to resume their original learning.