Computer education centres take advantage of post-exam season

By Khalid Khattak

LAHORE: TAKING full advantage of the post-examination season, different computer education centres as well as tuition centres have started offering short courses to attract maximum number of students who are now free after matriculation and intermediate examinations. The advertisement campaign by such institutes is also in full swing and, in this connection, special packages are being offered to the students. Different colourful banners, hoardings and posters can be seen in almost all localities of the provincial metropolis in this regard. Somewhere a short course in English language is being offered free of cost with a course in computer. Some institutes are offering short computer courses as free with other paid programme. Talking to The News, a number of students, their parents and people from different walks of life expressed mixed response to the prevailing trend of short courses offered for students in post-examination season. Some termed it a minting-money-season for computer centres and tuition centres while others termed it a healthy engagement for those who remain free after exams. A student, Ali, said he had joined a computer centre soon after his matriculation (composite) examination completed. He was of the view that he joined a short course in Computer Applications because he did not want to sit idle at home. “I have not studied computer as a subject”, he said adding “This is certainly a good time to learn something about computer”. No one can deny the importance of computer education, he said adding the course he opted would be helpful in his future life. Kashif Jamil, another student, said it was certainly a tough job to find a good and affordable institute for short course adding massive advertisements had almost confused him. Another student, Usman, said he had joined a computer centre adding he had also been offered English language course as an additional programme without any fee. He said post-exam season provided a good opportunity to students to learn things apart from their regular studies. He further said exam results would be announced after a couple of months adding it was better to utilize free-time instead of doing nothing. Naeem, another student, said instead of registering for any short course of computer or English language, he had joined an academy to study course of intermediate. He was of the view that students should prepare for next classes instead of wasting their precious time in short courses being offered these days. “I was a student of matriculation (science subjects) and had studied computer as a subject”, he said adding “I am confident of passing my matric exam, therefore, I am studying course of FSc Pre-Engineering these days”. Farrukh, father of a student, however, said it was unfortunate that most of the institutions were fleecing innocent students and their parents in the name of short courses. “Nothing practical is taught to the students”, he said adding “I am personally against such courses as this is merely a loss of time and money”.

The News International

Friday, 27 June 2008