Has corruption tarnished Berlitz Egypt's reputation? Egyptian blogger Eman Hashim wrote on facebook and on her blog wondering how come her students received their grades and certificates when she never submitted neither their grades nor their final exam papers.
Eman tells us the story saying
Back in July 2008, I was assigned by Berlitz Egypt to teach in a project called “Edu Egypt” which stands for educating Egypt. A project held by the ministry of communication aiming to serve graduates of both faculty of commerce and computer science in both Ain Shams and Cairo Universities. Giving them soft skills and English Courses. Berlitz was responsible for the English courses and I was there to teach three English levels for three classes with 12-15 students for each class, in faculty of commerce, Ain Shams University.
I will not talk about the kind of “working environment” we as Berlitz employees faced through this project – this is a totally different, yet not by far less amusing story – Now that the course is over.
A couple of weeks ago, my 40 something students received their certificates from Berlitz that they attended three levels at Berlitz Egypt and passed the three level with score …
How?
I have the examination papers for all my students for level 2 and 3
I have the evaluation sheets for the same students for level 2 and 3
I have their answer sheets with their handwriting, also for level 2 and 3One of my students called me because he was puzzled by the score and I told him that his score was wrong and that they lied, and then I told him that we had to expose them for what they did because it was wrong.
The student replied:
So what! Nothing will happen ya doctor. Do you think anyone can get his rights in this country? Why should I get mine?
Eman Hashim is asking now
Is this what I should teach my students? Is this what “EDUCATING EGYPT” is all about? What should I tell this student? and How can I face my students afterwards when I go and teach them about “Identity”, “Human Rights” and the rest all these fine words?
I was once told by one of my students that these were cliches of no real values and I told him it all depended on him and what he believes in!
I know it's a matter of time before the people at Berlitz learn of this “first but not last” article and I have no idea how they will react – but it's not that hard to imagine – andfrankly, I don't care!
2 comments
But WHY ??
I mean what’s the purpose behind delivering certificates not based on the exams results ??
Is it because the whole thing is just fake, a facade to show Berlitz is functioning successfully and please their students with certificates that might help with their jobs but mean nothing as how good they command English. Why ??
Are Berlitz certificates similar to the many diplomas and sometimes PHd’s that you can buy in some countries ??
I just don’t understand.
For years now, Berlitz has aiming to make the largest possible turn-over of students.
The administration may have realised that in a very competitive industry full of mediocre centres that for very little money will give every applicant a certificate to attach to his/her CV for an employer whose staff selection process seems to have failed in every single instance up to this very applicant, you have to be like that.
Why should a for profit establishment be any different from the national universities anyway?