33 Responses

1. Nita

   July 6th, 2010 at 5:24 am

   1

   I am surprised on reading the review.I have my nephew and niece attending Gear school for the past 6 years. We have never faced this kind of a treatment. Money nevr has been a speaking factor as all of our friends have been charged a same fixed amount.

   We should be realistic and believable when we post something on the net. We interact with the teachers /Savi mam and never have faced any problems. It is true that we get the treatment what we deserve.

   [Reply]

2. Navin

   June 25th, 2010 at 7:01 am

   2

   Little surprised by some of the negative comments here, new to this forum but old to the school (my two kids study here).

   Comments mentioned by (Tom, Dick and) Harry here are not in sync with actual activities in the school.

   It will be worth my time to tell that the only correct statement mentioned couple of comments below is:

   “Collecting annual fees for next grade in advance”

   other negative comments seem to vent out some other frustration on the school.

   Grow up guys!

   [Reply]

3. Koshi

   June 9th, 2010 at 12:39 am

   3

   I had the same experience and I think this is the same trick that this Principal plays with most patents.
   You are lucky you walked out with bad taste….Lot of unlucky parents have sat thru negotiating with him and ended up paying huge non-refundable donations…
   Any school in Bangalore takes donation – but here it is taken ‘like’ fees. In my case, he had asked for 50K as donation and I paid and then I was shocked when I went to pay the fees 2 months later that the 50K was only because I had not put my child to school in M0 and went to M1 later and he took a lakh as joining fees and then a lakh as fees!!!!!
   He talks about ‘simplicity’ and drives a Merc….Isn’t a M800 enough for a simple man?
   Any questions raised in forums get an answer ‘Why do you want to know’. Are parents so dumb headed that they cannot questions in forums or is he God that he knows everything?
   He alwasy talks about his nearly fatal accident from which he escaped and then started school……I do not want to comment on that….doesn’t look like that…….
   About Teachers – some one has well said most of them are trained ‘parents of other kids’ 100% agreed. I agree Teachers do not need to know rocket science…but there are teachers who do not know which is the first day of the week…..A Rocket scientist need not know this by the way…..
   Pay 10K for uniform and you get Nike shoes after 3 months (waits for sale may be!). Three pairs of clothes, 10 books (500rs max), one crayon set (Rs. 28), one pencil bos (Rs.30) and one nike shoe for 10K…….wow….
   It is just a ripoff….What would they teach in school I wonder….But one thing is very eminent – A lot of his own people have given feedback about the school here. For people who did not know – the ‘mam’ referred to here is his own Wife

   [Reply]

4. Jovial

   March 9th, 2010 at 1:34 am

   4

   This school is definitely NOT a run-of-the-mill school. It stands out from the rest in all the ways.

   Eric Cornell, Nobel Laureate in Physics was at this school to inaugurate the Multiple intelligence Exhibition. They also announced a science award called “Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell Promising Science Talent Award”.

   Pls google “Eric cornell GEAR” if the link doesn’t appear.
   http://bangalore360.com/News/2010/02/22/joys-of-scientific-discovery/

   [Reply]

   

   Harry Reply:
   March 18th, 2010 at 5:44 am

   Dear Anonymous,

   I completely agree that this is not a run-of-the-mill school. Everything that they do is not in consonance with what a normal school does. The all consuming passion to be different has made this school forget basics and instead focus on trivia that has no worth in the future of a student.

   I am genuinely surprised as well as concerned that a Nobel Laureate has associated himself with this institution as it only will serve to cloak the dastardly deeds of the management under the veneer of having leading lights backing their ‘noble’ intentions.

   If the school is genuinely whatever it says it is, ask the Principal to open himself to direct queries from parents either at school meetings or on the school website, make his teachers accountable for their actions instead of passing the buck to him knowing very well that it is a black hole, share the school fee structure (which is currently is based on what the traffic can bear principle) openly on the web as well as prospectus with all details included, not have multiple tests for students within the same class as parents never know where their ward stands in comparison to peer groups, share test results and papers transparently and not insist that parents read it within a few hours during the semester review meetings with teachers, not collect annual fees for the next grade in advance before even end of the earlier school term and refuse to refund the same no matter what the reason is, stop changing uniforms every other year and using many ingenious ways to deduct from the stationary fund, stop making children do meaningless projects that make them lose interest and respect in their teacher and subjects, encourage more physical sports rather than dwelling on theory of sports, respond to parents’ concerns whether it relates to bus staff or school staff misbehavior with their children, stop making unsubstantiated claims of being among the top 5 schools in the country (this one had me rolling on the aisles!) ….the list can go on….will keep it for another day….

   So whether a Nobel prize winner patronizes it or not, the school’s flaws cannot be hidden for long. So dear Mr. Principal and Mr. Anonymous (who happens to be a clone/cousin/dear friend of his), please wake up, smell the coffee and prepare for your judgement day….

   [Reply]

5. Anonymous

   March 3rd, 2010 at 1:31 am

   5

   Hello Gayathri,

   It is very common that parents who don’t get admission in the school get agitated and start writing negative statements. This happens with other schools too. Are you also one who didn’t get admission in GEAR. I personally know many parents who are extremely happy. To my knowledge GEAR is a wannable school in Sarjapur area. Yes, It may be tough to get in there.

   I do completely agree with post-5 by spectator. That was a nice reading about your experience.

   -Anonymous

   [Reply]

6. Gayathri

   February 25th, 2010 at 11:21 am

   6

   I totally agree with the attitude of the school staff. They are totally ill mannered (especially the so called “Savi mam”). They are very arrogant and almost all the teachers are just average. I make this statement as I have heard from many parents who have enrolled their children in this school. Overall, if you want to be part of your child’s growth and if you love your child, please stay away from this school.

   [Reply]

7. Thamarai

   February 21st, 2010 at 5:15 am

   7

   I have no experience good or bad with GEAR, but just to put forth my view on comments about parents being part of montesori training. As a mother she would best know how a child’s mind works, i really appreciate this initiative of GEAR. As pointed out they do undergo a training before becoming teachers and you dont need to know rocket science to teach a pre KG class. Only a parent with a heart to contribute to the society will take up the challenge of grooming a child. And i am sure he/she is in a far better position than a teacher with prior experience.

   Note: My child is a year old and i am a professional getting a very arractive salary, but deep within i would love the though of teaching a group of kids, the attitude to live with and how to perceive life, success and failure. Am i the wrong person to get into teaching?

   [Reply]

8. kk

   February 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm

   8

   i completely agree with you. i’m also in the process of pulling my 3 year old child out of the school. if i begin to share the trauma the school has put us (the parents and the child) through, no one who loves their child would go near that school.

   [Reply]

9. GenX

   January 12th, 2010 at 6:49 am

   9

   Came to know this through other sources and sharing in this forum,
   GEAR New campus ( Confident – GEAR Creative Leadership School ) is coming up in Sarjapur.

   Admission is already started for academic year 2010 for Montessori and Grades I to V

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/geargurukul/4263112590/in/photostream/

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/geargurukul/4263120494/in/photostream/

   Thanks.

   [Reply]

10. spectator

    December 26th, 2009 at 9:37 am

    10

    Why does the school in which a child studies become one of the major criteria when it comes to becoming a successful person ? Is it because he can attain all the knowledge in 16 years and understand how the system works and finally have the tool to break through ? or because if he comes out of a certain esteemed institution he has the makings of a successful person ??
    I always wondered how parents decide which school to put their child . What is it that they look forward to from a school or in fact the education system ? Only recently I was going through a blog at bangaloreschools.net. There were many eager parents trying to give their opinions on their impeccable understanding and experience in each school . I went through a few posts to finally understand what they want or expect for their precious ones who might one day grow up to make them proud.
    The more I read and understood from each post I learnt that these parents needed an education system or school for them to understand what their child needs . It was disappointing to see that all people look at these days is marks , percentile and not to forget the infrastructure . One person even referred to himself as a “paying customer “ and how this school he removed his child from didn’t give him his money worth . Now if a school doesn’t come with a swimming pool or football field , it is banned from being an A-list school . If the overall average of the school in an academic year is less than 95 percent its considered not worthy .
    When we close our doors to anything different only because we don’t know what it is , keeping such criteria then no wonder we end up part of a rat race and sit in a cubicle entering numbers and serving some multinational company and feel we are successful because we are financially secure . Does success mean just financial security ???
    A degree and financial security .This is all is expected from a child as achievement. And schools are given the credit for nurturing the child to aim at such achievement . Well fine I agree it is an achievement but what about satisfaction of doing what you want ? How many of us work today because we love doing what we do and we our passionate about our careers ? The child gets 98 percent is tenth and 99 percent in 12 th and becomes a gold medalist and comes out as a doctor or engineer . How many of them achieved that because it was their dream and they did it out of passion for that field ?
    Recently I was part of a school competition as a judge . In laymans terms it was an interschool competition . But this school called it an oddessy – a celebration of minds . And the principal who is also the founder of the school repeatedly told everyone it wasn’t a competition and that each child should enjoy and give his best and not worry about the outcome. This actually had an effect so remarkable were the childs inhibitions of performing and his self esteem is given a boost . With no inhibitions comes better performance . Any management guru would tell you at length about it but to see it implied at this stage impressed me . One of the students from another school had taken part in that competition for the third year now. In a thank you speech he said he had never done anything like this before and the first time he came he didn’t understand what was happening . When he came the next time he learnt more and this time he reffered to the meaning of oddessy before coming . When a child enjoys something he needs none to teach him . He’ll go out of his way to learn something . This school gave every student just that nudge towards education .
    The school involved the child in various innovative activities and teaching methods that the child later on does not have to reach out to any self improvement section in a book store . As part of their personality enhancement they are given various oppurtunities which helps the child recognize his passion and grow independently . Not all children are bright and smart and can score . But if they are shown and taught to recognize what they are good at , then isn’t that a better education system .The school i’m refering to is GEAR INNOVATIVE INTL. SCHOOL . And the reason I’m writing this is because as a judge I learnt to identify what is an ideal education system.
    Even if the school has above average infrastructure but “ no swimming pools and football fields “ If a child gets the kind of knowledge and education that this school provides than no one should hesitate because this is what a child needs today or in the future . The ability to stand on his own no matter what , his percentile is in 10th or which institution he comes from .
    Instead of queuing up blindly in front of schools for admission if parents spend that time understanding what their child becomes because of an institution they would benefit more .
    I was also part of the competitive world and a huge contender in the rat race . Marks were the only thing that mattered but that didn’t stop me from recognizing my career path . Because what my school didn’t offer my parents did . I’m an architect now and even though I have ups and downs everyday , I don’t blame it on my career or repent on being an architect . I enjoy everyday because of what I am and what I do .
    I am not a parent, But do I need to be one to be able to understand such a simple thing J Its time we woke up and understood what a child needs today . Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to think rather than to follow in others preconceived footsteps .

    [Reply]

11. Jackie

    December 10th, 2009 at 7:29 am

    11

    Regarding Gear, I feel it’s more of a family business than an educational institute. There’s a lot of difference in what they preach and wat they practise. Most of their montessori teachers are inexperienced and majority are less than a year old with school. Since they do not want to pay their teachers well, they lure the mothers who come for their kids addmission into doing a montesori training from their own institute and then hire them as montessori teachers. Mothers feel good that they can be closer to their child and the school gets more business by way of another customer for their Montessori course. Imagine, housewives with no prior schooling experience are enthrusted with the job of handling the little minds, understanding whom is a big challenge and not every ones cup of tea.
    Agreed that the administrative staff, Principal, his wife are very unapprochable.
    Post 13 – One Parent – If you say that gear is very srtict in it’s addmission process thenyou are right. they are very strict about money coming in by the due date which could be as early as 6 months before the start of the academic session. Other than that they are vry linient esp when it comes to taking admission of US returned kids. They can be so flexible that they can do away with the entrance test if the parents arewilling to deposit the full year fee in advance.
    Talking to their montesori teachers, I hve figured out that most of them are below average and fail to understand the “P” of child psychology. Children who are naughty are intimidated to such an extent that they fear going to school. And if parents complain about this then their child is just ignored in the class – no effort is made to teach anything.
    A 5 year old is asked to repeat the class!
    Academic reults are just average. They do not have a proper playground.
    For those who think I am a frustrated soul coz my kid did not get the addmission in gear, then let me clarify that I have pulled out my kid after I figured out how incapable their motessori teachers are.

    [Reply]

12. Menaka

    November 27th, 2009 at 11:46 am

    12

    kindly let me know some good schools near outer ring road.let me know about your views about Cambridge public school and JSS public school?

    [Reply]

13. Bhat

    November 26th, 2009 at 10:18 pm

    13

    What are some of the not too expensive places to live in within easy commuting distance of Gear school? If anybody knows about an individual house or flat for sale that is quite close to the school, can you please let me know at VictoryCoorg at hotmail * com? Thanks.

    [Reply]

14. Bindu

    November 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 am

    14

    The admin people have no courtesy what so ever…very blunt and bad mannered. school authorities have to take this seriously and take appropriate measures to deal with the same. School should realise that they are international school for heaven’s sake and basic lessons on manners must come from the staff for students to model good behaviour. Very dissapointed with the admin staff’s arrogance and attitude.

    [Reply]

15. Eragon

    November 19th, 2009 at 1:40 am

    15

    Well i am a student of the PINNACLE IIT integrated course… and i must say the FIITJEE teachers are awesome.. better than ACE and BASE.. because i have had experiences with them too…We as a class are not solely the study only types… and end up having fun as well as performing
    more than adequate help is given to those who require the FIITJEE program is good

    BUT thats all that is good and this is the common notion among all my classmates who were formerly DPS, NPS, Inisfree and students of better schools

    The school is a very wannabe school or as some review i read is a wannabe international school… the infrastructure is pathetic compared to the fees they pay and they barely go for any competitions..i used to be a national level quizzer and i have never seen this school participate… the board performance is mediocre as the highest this year was 92.8…. so come join only if u are interested for IIT.. do not join the school as there are many better options…. in the city..

    [Reply]

    

    P.N. Bhat Reply:
    November 25th, 2009 at 11:54 pm

    Thanks Eragon for the information from Pinnacle program’s perspective. At least some of the students in the FIITJEE program might also have aspirations of going abroad for studies. Admissions in U.S. universities take participation in other activities also into account. So, besides the fun/development factor, there are other benefits as well. Possibly, if the students approach the teachers/management regarding participation in other activities such as quiz, they might start supporting it?

    [Reply]

16. Vijay

    October 30th, 2009 at 4:46 am

    16

    We have two kids in GEAR (Montessori and 6 th grade). We are very happy with the school.

    [Reply]

17. Mom2SM

    October 27th, 2009 at 4:00 am

    17

    Hi,

    I had to pull out my daughter in mid term and bear heavy monetary loss fromt his school.
    No satisfied at all.
    I feel relieved that now atleast I know what is she taught at school and improvement in her vocabulary and sports activities.

    Thanks to the reviews posted on bangaloreOne.

    [Reply]

18. Venkat

    October 24th, 2009 at 7:46 pm

    18

    It seems FIITJEE Pinnacle program for 11th & 12th is going to be offered at Gear. So, those in the Pinnacle program can (hopefully!) get decent teachers for Physics, Chemistry and Maths. That would still leave English and Computer Science/Biology subjects to the school. Does anybody have any knowledge about the quality of teaching in those subjects at 11th and 12th at Gear?

    [Reply]

19. Amit

    October 23rd, 2009 at 5:02 am

    19

    Most of the negative reviews are from parents who could not get admission in Gear. As a parent I’m quite satisfied by the way the operate. Savi Mam is very humble in talking to the parents of Gear Kids, though not sure about the perception formed by the parents who could not get admission. Our kid and all my friends kids dont want to miss the school and feel excited in going to school, what more can you ask for.

    Even with much lesser home works our kids are at par with the kids who have a tons of home works.

    [Reply]

20. Anonymous

    October 13th, 2009 at 1:14 am

    20

    I do completely agree with “parent” and “Nita”.
    Gear is a good school and they are very straight forward in the admission process unlike some bangalore schools.

    [Reply]

21. parent

    September 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    21

    Gear is a very good school. Many schools claim overall development of child. This is the school where I am experiencing from day one how multiple intelligence development is being followed (just not a theory). As far as money is concern mostly all the schools in Bangalore have more or less same kind of fee structure they are developing ,Gear parents wants the school to have all the facilities. They follow Montessori system of education. The parent should know about Montessori system before even approaching them or should have open mind to understand it. Sitting on the mat with chowki is a part of the Montessori system not Gurukul system.
    As far as interaction with the parents …i should say they interact the best way… if the child is good at some thing they encourage the child to do so. They are not only good in academics (92% average score, 95%highest score) but also in indoor and out door sports…they encourage sports…and call the parent and tell them their observation about the child. Child happily goes their and learns and gives the feed back to the parent. They love their aunty. To understand Montessori system you can join the Montessori course. or talk to the parent whose child is going to a Montessori school. Actually its not so easy to understand any system unless you understand it in depth. I prefer Montessori more than Kindergarten system. I feel a physician or a doctor can understand child better than a lay man. The Montessori system is developed by a physician. Who has studied in depth about child’s development and child’s psychology.

    My suggestion to all the young parents of young children is to have awareness of both the system before putting your child in any school. Gear is one of the best schools in Bangalore. Incase you need just academics you can choose NPS. Which is the best as far as result is concern; and they kick the students out of the school if they don’t perform well. So you can decide whether you want to make your child nerdy or smart and have overall development. The child can choose which field he wants to go in. Valley school and Gear work in the same philosophy.

    By the way I pulled my child (Mont 1) out from NPS with in 3 months.

    [Reply]

22. Nita

    September 2nd, 2009 at 3:20 am

    22

    My experince with GEAR has been very good. I was looking ata school with wouldenable my child to think and not mug up. The concept of out of box thinking was very much essesntial for me.

    Having put my son in GEAR from M0 I see a progressive development in the child and the child responds uniquelyto the situations AND IDEAS WHEN COMPARED TO THE OTHER KIDS. I am also seeking admissions for my second kid by november 2009.

    Fees I think they are at par with most of the schools in sarjapur area. Sports they are encouraging to a great extent ; Basketball, tennis, squash, TT etc.

    I am quite happy with the school. To add to whichever school we send our kid we ought to do our part of handholding and spending time with the kid which will definitely make thedifference.

    [Reply]

23. guest

    August 11th, 2009 at 1:16 am

    23

    Hope this will be useful information for other parents,

    GEAR has started a new school in Sarjapur road with tie-up with Confident Group. The montessori school ( Confident-GEAR Montessori Plus ) is already functional.

    School address:
    C-GEM+
    Opposite Confident Orion
    Somapura, Sarjapur Road.
    Bangalore 561 125

    Some links,

    http://gear.ac.in/?ui=gfp

    http://confident-group.com/schools.htm

    Thanks

    [Reply]

24. One parent

    June 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 am

    24

    Hi,

    I feel it is wrong to coment about the school without knowing it very well.
    It make no sense to me to write something about the school standing out side. So just want to share my feedback being a parent.

    I’m completely happy with Gear and their approach.The admission process for us was very straight forward. We have visited other schools on Sarjapur road including all international and non-international. Finally decided on Gear. All the schools showed us their school building, facilities like swimming pools etc and boasted lots about it. The cost of application cost in many such schools were above Rs500.

    Yes, I agree that Gear is very strict in the admission process. I believe they will have their own reason for doing that. We were also asked to fill the application form. This was ok for us and we have applied for M0. We got the call within couple of days to attend the Principal meeting. You can even download this form from the website or available for Rs30 from the security office, It is not an expensive money making business like other schools doing. We appreciate and liked it !

    Also do not expect red carpet for NRIs and expats. If thats what you folks are expecting visit expensive international schools which show case horse riding and swimming pool as the “school”

    Thanks
    One parent

    [Reply]

25. Thoroughly Annoyed

    June 8th, 2009 at 2:24 am

    25

    I cant agree more with the most negative feedback some other parents have added in here for GEAR. The vast campus, a few hep words revolving around their conversation like innovation, basic knowledge, etc etc are just an eye wash.

    We approached the school way back in Oct08 to get admission forms. We were shortlisted (IMAGINE, there is a strict age proofing at this stage itself) and called for Principal-Parent-Interaction or some non-sense like that.
    We were at that stage completely awed by the school, the Principal’s lecture and the a lil annoyed by the arrogance.
    Trying to understand more on the basis of arrogance, we were looking forward to get the details, and finalised the D-date for admission process for following week. Finally, we were all set, ready to send our 2.9 yrs old daughter to GEAR. Reached in time, met principal, filled forms, took out the cheque..and guess what…..We got the SHOCK of our lives!!!! this gentleman, who had been lecturing on ‘no bookish knowledge’ and the basics et al, suddenly looks at the form and says, ur daughter is more than 2.5 yrs, I dont understand how this application got shortlisted!!!!! IMAGINE!
    We were beyond words. But this was not enough. No amount of persuasion was enough. In fact, by then we ourselves were startled by the double-standards, this man is exhibiting!
    but wait, the worst was yet to come..
    out of the blue, he took out a form for some other school -New hoizon or smth…which was still in its infancy and somehow partnered with this guy..and suggested us to go for that!
    That was enough!
    We stormed out of his office with a very bad taste in mouth. Very bad experience and horrible way of treating ppl!

    Pls be warned before you step closer to this one!

    [Reply]

26. Divya

    June 5th, 2009 at 8:43 am

    26

    I went to visit this school today, my toddler in tow, having heard some good things (but not having seen this review site). My experience was identical to what Supriya experienced. I was offered an admission form by the security guard. After insisting, I was put through on the phone to a lady who said that she would not be able to answer any questions or meet me, since – get this – all the answers are on their website. I then told her that I had already seen their website, and there they specifically ask for parents to “do research” and “understand” before “considering Gear”. She responded saying that I must have seen the wrong website!

    Presumably basic courtesy gets short shrift, what with all the focus on “Innovation”, “Multiple Intelligence” and being a “Concept School with a vision”.

    [Reply]

27. charu

    April 21st, 2009 at 6:53 am

    27

    Hi all,

    My daugher goes to Gear preschool i just have mixed responses about the school.I appreciate the tidynessa nd cleanliness due to things lke removing shoes outside,some yoga and sholaks to which kids are introduced from start.
    Definitely thiew attitude is too frustating and they just dont try improving anyway.

    I visted other schools on Sarjapur but somehow was not that convinced and planned to continue in gear.

    [Reply]

28. Menon

    March 12th, 2009 at 4:45 am

    28

    I visited this school on the recommendation of a person highly regarded and involved with the education field – someone that Gear uses extensively.

    We asked to meet with the administrator – a lady by name ‘Savi Maam’ . Despite being forewarned about their attitude, what happened really took our breath away! We have NEVER been treated so shabbily IN OUR LIVES!!

    We (there were three couples with kids in tow), without getting into specifics, they HUMILIATED us – REPEATEDLY – for the crime of having dared to ATTEMPT to speak with them!

    All of us immediately and unequivocally decided that there was absolutely NO WAY we will leave our precious children in the care of such mean, ill-mannered and foul tempered individuals! Their entire attitude and approach is exactly the opposite of what an educator – even a wannabe one- is supposed to be/have!

    We immediately went back to this school that we had visited – PRIMUS – and enrolled our kids there! (Anyone looking for a school in and around Sarjapur Rd should pay them a visit – we found them the best!!)

    Its very clear this sad excuse for a School should be renamed ‘REVERSE GEAR’ gear! I have it on authority that the results post 5th standard has been getting progressively pathetic. They are neck deep in financial mess the scale of which is frightening – (this is a fact that will now slowly come to light). I know of more than a dozen parents who have taken their children out of this school DISGUSTED with every facet of this school – most importantly their so called academics! They even go on to claim they dont encourage team sports because it ‘encourages hooliganism’ !! I have NEVER heard anything more ridiculous in my life!

    The management of this school needs to WAKE UP and SMELL THE COFFEE!! – and one cant help but pray that the parents with their kids already in there do so soon too!!

    [Reply]

29. Supriya

    March 2nd, 2009 at 3:20 am

    29

    We set out on this day in question to enquire about 7-8 schools in the area of sarjapur road. We were cordially spoken to by the admission incharge in all the schools but Gear. Some of these schools are more established than Gear and some are more expensive as well. However, we never got a cold shoulder approach from any other school.

    We were asked by the security to fill out the admission form before we could enquire about the education system or the fee structure or before we could see the infrastructure of the school. We were told by the security that the upon handing out the filled form, we would be meeting the principal of the School who would answer all our questions. I wonder how a principal can act as an admission officer or would a principal actually take us around the school to show us the infrastructure.

    Overall I didnt understand how they expect us to choose Gear over the 8 other good schools in this area when they dont let us in for a simple inquiry!!!

    [Reply]

30. Mithun

    February 27th, 2009 at 2:11 am

    30

    Our son has been attending GEAR montessori for the last one year. Our reaction about GEAR is pretty mixed. It is too early for us to make a qualitative judgement on the teaching methodology or the content but here are a few points that could be good pointers to prospective parents:

    Our interaction with the teachers has led us to believe that the quality of teachers is just average or may be as good/bad as any other school. I specifically noted that the Xth class results of GEAR are average or may be below average. The fact that they have an altogether different approach to teaching or the clai that the school focuses on developing innate talent etc can just be excuses to justify this. Extra curriculars, talent blooming etc cannot substitute for good scores especially when it is basic education.

    This school is EXTREMELY money minded. I cant emphasise how money minded they are. There are different fee structures for students studying in the same class – depending on the date when admission was secured (procured?!). The selection of seats seems to be an auction!!
    Even for a montessori admission, they collect money on various heads-which add up to a tidy sum.

    The teachers and the principal are absolutely out of teach for parents and not approachable at all. No smiles; just frowns on their faces – always. This school has a single answer to all complaints – “thats the way we function. You can choose whether you want to have your kids here or not.” This attitude becomes even more striking once the fees has been paid!

    I know of a parent one of whose kids was admitted to GEAR and one of who was refused admission as she was ‘not bright enough’! And remember this was admission to the montessori section! The parents of this kid had such a harrowing experience from the school for almost a year after which they decided to move their kid to another school. Needless to mention, they had to forgo almost a lakh of rupees. Dealing with the school, admin, principal and staff is an absolute torture.

    Transport is another favourite money minter for this school. We enquired about the fee and found that even if we engaged a city taxi for drop and pick up for a whole year, the expenses still would not add up to the fee that the school charges. Transport charges were steeply hiked (also added was a 20K deposit!!) when the fuel prices went up mid 2008 and am sure this has not come down in spite of the fuel prices cooling off.

    Please negotiate the transport charges before you pay the admission fee else you will be arm twisted to accepting the horrifying fee.

    It might also be worthwhile to examine the fee increases that the school has had over the past few years. We had this uncanny feeling that once the steep admission fee has been paid, the school literally takes advantage of that fact. Hence, pre-negotiate everything from the transport fee to fees for the subsequent years (if possible!).

    Our conclusion is : Its just not worth the money that you blow! Right from the location to the gurukul model (floor seating etc) appear to me as a facade for not spending any money on infrastructure. If you have a choice, give this school a miss.

    [Reply]

31. Lakshmi

    February 24th, 2009 at 5:20 am

    31

    Kindly let me know the good schools near marathahalli and krpuram which provides good education with feasible fee.

    [Reply]