True Story about GAU

brightside


Joined: 17/01/2012
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 14:38

Hello to everybody.

We are usual family who came to North Cyprus, cause we love it; but not everything is sunny and clear here.

Last year we’d sent children to GAU primary school, and were happy as we thought.

Few weeks school year started we understood that children were not happy there; their classmates were aggresive with bad behavior and we picked the children up every day with a miserable mood, and of course they didn’t what to go to school at all. The decision was to change the school after long-long conversations with children and teachers, cause we do not want to see either unhappy lossers or aggresive and rude like the others.

We wrote a letter to head teacher and two weeks later we were in British Academy. This is small, family type school; not the advertisment, but who knows about schools like this they will understand what I’m talking about.

Ozangirl


Joined: 03/09/2010
Posts: 145

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 15:22

I am very surprised by your comments, my son has been going to GAU for 4 years now and is currently in year 4, not all the children should be tarnished with the same brush! did they go to the primary school on the Turkish side of GAU or the English side? maybe you needed to let your child have a settling in period, all kids hate a new school when they first start for a good few months. Unfortunately there is a lot of bad talk about the schools in the TRNC and parents move their kids around constantly, every school here seems to get some bad press so it does seem to be pretty much luck of the draw where you send them!

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 15:32

I think if this story shows anything, it shows that when peole ask on here "which school is best for my child" that there is no right or wrong answer.



Different kids are happy in different environments, and each should be placed where it is felt is best for them as individuals. If the parents make the wrong choice, maybe because they are not aware of all the facts at the time, then at least in Cyprus there is the option to move them, not so easily done in the UK.



Given this (brightside), I hope you have at it seems done the right thing for your children, and hopefully lerning will be a better experience for them now, for sure they would not learn well in an environment they were not happy in.



However, there are without a doubt many happy kids in GAU, and the school has good resources.

brightside


Joined: 17/01/2012
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 16:12

The main part of the story… payment we’d made in summer was for the half of the year until the middle of January and the school we changed before New Year; so we paid (about 4000euro) one month more than we were there. Now, one year later, the lawyer from GAUcall to us and said we should pay 4000euro more for the second term.

We are not beasts who will send children to school because of the Money, even if they don’t want; we just wish for them to be human beings and I do not want even try to compare children feelings and Money; just want some honesty.

May be someone has the same experience with GAU and can suggest something? Of course we understand that to be against GAU is the same as talking to a brick wall; but there should be finding, isn't it?!

Or may our story will be experience for someone.

brianc


Joined: 20/06/2011
Posts: 133

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 17:04

We had similar experience - our son started education in GAU, after two weeks we moved him to the British Academy of NC, these things happen.

Scythian



Joined: 14/03/2009
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 17:18

to Brightside



"...Of course we understand that to be against GAU is the same as talking to a brick wall; but there should be finding, isn't it?!..."



It`s true.



After GAU college you will never pass exam to European Universities. You can enter only to GAU, but know that some 3 or 4 year students do not speak in English.

Everyone knows it, but hold their tongues.



You leave holding the bag but GAU is lemon.

brightside


Joined: 17/01/2012
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 18:12

We do not want to speak about people choices or preferences, just only about the experience.

As you can see the story is diveded into 2 posts, cause the limit of letters and I was waiting till I can see the first one (it takes some minutes, do not know how long, but I can’t see it as I posted). If it possible could the admin add the second one to the first?



Brianc, did they ask you to pay for the whole year? Or just for two weeks?

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 21:43

Do I undestand correctly that they expect you to pay for the whole year after attending for one month?

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 22:36

When you enrolled your kids there did you sign any sort of contract?

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 22:46

GAU is absolute rubbish. Their diploma is not worth the paper its printed on! Their students are at least 2-3 years behind in any science subjects when compared to their counterparts.

I currently have one student who actually opted to study at home rather than GAU after a bad experience, another 13 year old who attends TED college in lefkoşa - who knows more maths than the 16 year olds in GAU, and a 15 year old who moved to ESK from GAU and is still suffering from the experience. Then again, one does not need to pass exams to continue internally with the UNI after GAU, whatever that means...

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 22:54

To me this is a simple matter. You enrol your child with a school and for some reason you decide to switch schools before the end of the year. So far so good, you have the choice to do so but you have to pay by the contract you signed. Otherwise you will have to abide by the decision of the court which will take into considerstion the contract you signed with your free will.

ismet

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 22:58

Scythian; Spot on mate!

ozangirl; wait until your child moves to college section in 2 years - where everything is taught in English and most of their students are TCs who complain about not understanding a word of it!

I say send your children to state schools, and stop wasting your money on the private rubbish we have here

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:04

So now contracts are binding! Surely you can't be held to the contract if they have broken the bargain by not supplying good teaching discipline?

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:04

Ismet - careful, is this the TRNC one-sided contract again? What if you decide that the other side of the contract was not being adhered to?

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:10

Anyone ever followed the Homer Files?



Amusing at times but behind the laughter there are some sad experiences described by what appear to be very angry TRNC students.



http://isas-ch.org/serv05.htm

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
17/01/2012 23:35

Very interesting read Bradus! I think the GAU section that explains all the lies and deceit by this horrbly run establishment should be made a sticky in this forum

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 01:29

Bradus, thankyou, that was very interesting.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 02:01

I have to say that when I read the following it did make me think about all those advocates that claimed to have had a UK Education.



ISAS has learned that the following UK universities listed as having agreements with GAU on their web site HAVE NO SUCH AGREEMENT and have requested their names be removed, without success:Nottingham Trent University (UK), University College London (UK) London University (UK)



ISAS has learned of previously falsely claimed collaborations with the following UK Universities who managed to get their names removed from GAU’s website:London School of Economics (LSE,UK)University of Leicester (UK)

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 02:03

ISAS will investigate the alleged other non-UK collaboration agreements but be warned- so far not impressive: the web link to the Azerbaijan University takes you to a ‘Yahoo! no page sign’ and the University of Lagos (Nigeria) similarly a ‘Page under Construction’ but no mention of the university itself. Oh it would be interesting to know the nature of the agreement with Bangkok University (Thailand), but unfortunately this web site is all in Thai!



It really is important that potential students and their parents do their homework.

sylvie


Joined: 12/03/2008
Posts: 1081

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 09:59

to my point of view people complaining should read carefully the contract they signed before - i am sure GAU is not against the law - you paid, your kids didn't or you didn't like the school, teacher or what so ever..... it is your problem - i am sure that GAU does very good jobs and of course like everywhere yopu have people or kids who do not adapt to the school or some teachers !

there is always a solution and the best way is to discuss with the head master and i am sure he will do his best to find out what is the problem ! what ever the school is - state or priviate it is always better to discuss than complain in a forum !

sylvie


Joined: 12/03/2008
Posts: 1081

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 10:01

elko : you said in 3 words what i tried to say in 3 sentences !!!!!!!

marymary


Joined: 31/08/2010
Posts: 12

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 13:09

Elko is completely right, if you have signed a contract the court would review that agreement, freely entered into and decide upon those facts. The subject of what the GAU purports to offer and the accreditation that they claim is another matter and as ever in the TRNC is lacking in any internationally recognised supervision of the whole sector. The University sector could contribute to the TRNC economy greatly but somehow yet another good idea bites the dust with the words, corruption, incompetence, rip-off, lost opportunity springing to mind. I am currently dealing professionally with the Universities in the RoC and I have to say that the quality, care and supervision of those Universities is outstanding. We have also had dealings with Turkey which is becoming quite impressive, how can the TRNC be such a failure at everything they touch?

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 13:36

Signed a contract

Rules of cntract upheld by court

Etc, etc



If only GAU build houses eh!

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 13:48

Too true Yrret!



Votes please.



Are TRNC contracts legally binding or not worth the paper they are written on?

Rowland1


Joined: 18/01/2012
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 13:59

As a parent of 3 kids who are all perfectly happy in different sections of the school, I feel that a few things need clearing up here.



1. We fully understood when we came over that contracts for school fees need to be paid. The school is actually really helpful in allowing the fees to be paid in instalments. In the UK, such flexibility does not exist. If people do not wish to be committed to school fees, then they should not sign and they should send their children elsewhere-simple as that.



2. It is complete garbage to say that students from The American College do not go to universities elsewhere. A number do so every year, including my daughter last academic year.



3. I know that the teachers and School Leadership Team are extremely helpful from the dealings I have had with them. There is a really good feel about the school whenever I visit. I will not comment on other schools as it is not right to do so.



There are always 2 sides to every story.

brightside


Joined: 17/01/2012
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 19:15

Thank you for your responces.

But, we do not want to talk about the choices, or about bad side of GAU, may be the college is really good, or even the best, but not for us, not for our children; that's all.

We tried to spoke with teachers, with Head Teacher, but nothing changed, we saw only teachers' smiles; we also thought the school was new for them, new classmates; in November we're realised that we can't continue anymore and were looking for another school, read this forum, asked people... Then for the first time I mentioned that we'd like to change the school, the answer of Head Teacher was "You'll pay for the whole year in any case". Was it the solving or finding?!

In the begining of December gave a letter to Head Teacher that we'd like to leave and changed the school. The payment was made till the middle of January...we do not ask to return our money because of our disappointment; we just would like to see honesty.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 19:21

My two grandsons go to GAU Primary School and they are both happy, so are their parents. One is in the first class and the other in the fourth class.

ismet

applepie


Joined: 06/12/2011
Posts: 17

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 20:15

Near East Uni. is my favorite school in TRNC

brightside


Joined: 17/01/2012
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 21:58

One more question, if the student came in the middle of a school year, should the parents pay for the whole year?

Your answers look as a proof of the one-side law here, and it's not on the side of the buyers neither goods or services.



By the way there are lot's of school in England, Spain or Germany where you can pay monthly, quaterly and so on... So, I still can't see positive difference.

Ed1957


Joined: 03/09/2011
Posts: 377

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 22:00

Ismet, do your grandchildren speak Turkish?



If so it may be a different experience for them

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
18/01/2012 23:24

Rowland1; As a first time poster who specially signed on to defent GAU (Gore And Unease), I personally would not give much credit to what you wrote! I have a good reason to believe that only about 1 or 2% of the hundreds of students in the college section are capable of passing any IGCSE or A/S exms in any science subject. None of them have any chance of passing any mainland Turkish UNI enterance exams. All the students are aware that they will move on to GAU university without the need for the above - hence more of a reason why they do not try to learn anything.

Elko; Primary schools are good in all the private establishments. The problems start when the children move to college section, where the lack of basic knowledge in science subjects clearly get amplified as they progress from year 7 to year 12. Next time you are in Girne please call me or email me and I will meet you for a drink (& your lovely wife of course) - I can fill you in on the subject with documented evidence!

Rowland1


Joined: 18/01/2012
Posts: 2

Message Posted:
19/01/2012 10:19

bigOz, I assume then, based on your weird theory that first time posters cant be given much credit, that we should disregard the original message in this thread, also from a first time poster?



I also wonder whether we should disregard your own comments in this thread and others about GAU since they may be tainted by your sudden departure from the same institution when you were employed there last year?



You appear to be trying to take Brightsides original message and use it as part of your own crusade, plucking unsubstantiated % out of the air with regard to exam performance or capability of students.



All very strange...

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
19/01/2012 12:54

Rowland1; I would love to meet you in person to discuss any issues you have concerning my posts or my position (if your profile is genuine); YET you have not discredited any of the allegations I have quoted from another website! Is it because they are already well known facts by most who live here?

My sudden departure has nothing to do with any of the posts here - for if they had, I could disclose far more damaging facts about the way GAU is run and its students (and actually support these facts by documents in my possession). There is also a legal action pending on that subject so it would not be appropriate to discuss details now - I am sure everything will transpire much later on! Furthermore there are some good teachers there whom I know and respect very much, albeit they are outnumbered by the useless ones (especially in the management)

I will not keep quiet if you are praising an institution that is clearly RUBBISH! Feel free to contact me anytime

ataturk


Joined: 09/09/2008
Posts: 712

Message Posted:
19/01/2012 13:24

I talk from experience as our kids went to GAU I wont go as far as to say it was rubbish but we did have a lot of problems with regards to teachers not being qualified. We also noted a lot of favouritsm amongst certain teachers and pupils. Unfortunately when it comes to educating your children it is very difficult in Cyprus to make the right decision. The Prep side of the school was not without its problems however we saw what was coming with the secondary section and made the decision to leave before then. There are some very good teachers at GAU and they should not be tainted with the same brush, I do feel though that the owners are only interested in making money and tht is where it all breaks down.