MORAL -Infrastructure is only as good as its staff. Review on Oakridge International School, Hyderabad

November - 2017 - Forgot the date.

After going around a couple of schools in the area, me and my wife visited Oakridge Bachupally(on our list of schools) for admission for my 1st Grader.

12.10 pm - Reached Oakridge campus. Were asked to wait for 10 mins in the security room as all counselors were busy. The security person was very well mannered.

We felt really good vibes about the school.

10 mins became 30 became 1 hour.

1.30 pm - Waited for over an hour when I asked the security to call the admission personnel again. Their response to security was to ask us to leave or something for which the security person himself protested on our behalf.

And we were allowed in.

1.35 pm - Met with counselor, I believe the name to be Atleena or something(can't really remember now)

1.36 pm - Asked her about the school, curriculum, activities, transport.

1.37 pm - She COMPLETED her explaination(yes - completed in 1 minute)

Me and my wife were waiting for more and she was like thinking'when these guys would leave'

Now it becomes more funny and frankly irritating

We asked for tour of the campus and she said the following

"We shall give you tour only if you decide to enroll now itself"

I said, I just walked in and would take a day or 2 to decide.

But there is no way as seats are being filled up

Finally, I said ok will enroll now itself(as I and my wife had Oakridge in the list of our selections). She agreed and went to get someone to accompany us.

1.40 pm -

She asked us to fill a form and when I was halfway filling up the form, this senior lady - admissions head(Do not remember her name) walked in with a aura of arrogance(in my opinion only) and asked to enroll now and go about the school.

Me and my wife did not speak and were fumbling for words, when it suddenly hit me - "OMG - IF THESE GUYS ARE LIKE THIS EVEN BEFORE THE KID JOINS THE SCHOOL, THEY PROBABLY WILL PLAY US AROUND LIKE RAGDOGS IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS"

Thinking that I said to her - I will see the school and then come back in a day or two after deciding. After all, my kid is gonna be there for the next 10 years and I probably would be paying over 50 lakh in fee. The head said with her arrogant tone - "You can forget your admission. Come back 2019-2020"

Now, I thought I am wasting my time here and simply left my half filled form and walked out. Wanted to argue on their behavior but whats the point.

Me and my wife left the place and went directly to Ambitus school(which was in our shortlisted school but Oakridge was the priority), paid the fee and got my kiddo enrolled.

Now, the funniest part -

10 DAYS LATER

Received a call from Oakridge admissions department asking me if I would like to enroll my kid in their school(they had my half filled form).

For a few moments, I thought these guys were in such a hurry about all admission closed 10 days back itself and how come I am getting a call now.

With those thoughts in mind, I explained the lady as to what had transpired with us in our visit.

Was expecting some words of empathy, but was shocked when the lady on the phone was justifying the actions of their staff.

Still she offered admission to my kid.

I laughed out out Loud and politely rejected her offer of admission and disconnected the call.

Thats our story - Take your Own call.