Clementi tuition centre giving free Coach bags to parents of students enrolled there for 4 years

While it's not uncommon for tuition centres to provide discounts or other perks for regulars, one centre in Clementi raised eyebrows by giving away free Coach bags to parents of students who have been enrolled there for four years.

An official notice about the giveaway, dated Oct. 22, was spotted outside Chinese Language Centre at NEWest Mall in Clementi recently.

The enrichment centre, which specialises in Chinese-language tuition, runs courses for students from as young as two years old to those in junior college.

To thank parents for their support since 2020: Centre

A teacher surnamed Zhang (transliteration), speaking on behalf of the school, told Shin Min Daily News that the Coach bag giveaway was to thank parents for their support and trust over the years.

The centre was established in 2020, Zhang noted.

When asked about the number of parents who were eligible to receive the Coach bags, and the budget set aside for it, Zhang said he was not able to disclose further details.

More sign-ups might put strain on teachers: Parent

Parents interviewed by Shin Min expressed mixed feelings about the giveaway.

One parent surnamed Yin (transliteration), whose six-year-old son enrolled at the centre about three months ago, said she received a text message from the centre about the giveaway in end-October.

"I didn't send my child for tuition to get a Coach bag, but it's definitely a good idea to give back to parents. It would come as a pleasant surprise to those who have supported the centre for a long time," Yin told Shin Min.

One such parent is Yang (transliteration), who has been sending her child to the centre for four years, and is eligible to receive a Coach bag.

However, Yang told Shin Min she was worried that such an initiative will entice large numbers of parents to register their children as students, which could put a strain on the teachers.

"I initially sent my child here for tuition as I felt that the centre teaches well, with smaller class sizes that enable the teacher to focus on teaching quality," Yang said.

Yang added that the Coach bag giveaway sounds like a promotional trick, and said she does not intend to claim hers.

Other centres have their own strategies

Shin Min reported that other enrichment centres in the mall did not advertise similar giveaways, but had their own practices and strategies for attracting and retaining students.

Some told Shin Min that they would rely on reputation and let the results of their students speak for themselves.

Other strategies include providing innovative teaching to help students achieve good results, or waiving tuition fees for outstanding students.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News & Coach