TOKYO — Students and their parents are experiencing confusion and frustration following the sudden unavailability of the university entrance exam preparation school SS Gijuku, with some clients having not received any lessons despite paying fees.
As per the registry, the SS Gijuku is managed by the Japan Institute for Further Education Inc., based in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The preparatory school’s website mentions, “We attain successful outcomes in securing admission to national and municipal government-run universities, along with renowned private universities, through thorough selection and recommendation-based preparation.” Parents of students mentioned that the school provides online classes, including those centered on English and interviews, such as “articulating one’s passion within a minute.”
Up until the afternoon of December 13, the website promoted the institution as “the largest and oldest in the industry” and asserted it was the “unquestioned leader in first-choice university acceptance rates and customer satisfaction.” Nevertheless, these claims were taken down by 5 p.m. on December 14.
As reported by several parents, online classes continued until early December, but replies to questions stopped around December 7, and the course videos that had been accessible online were removed all at once.
SS Gijuku reportedly used the Line application to send messages to registered students, expressing apologies and mentioning they would “do their best to resume normal operations,” along with a contact phone number. Nevertheless, calls to that number have remained unanswered.
A mother of a second-year high school student who joined in late November paid an enrollment fee and two months’ worth of tuition, amounting to roughly 100,000 yen (approximately $640), but the initial class was never conducted, and she was unable to reach the company. She stated to the Mainichi Shimbun, “I felt they were reliable, and my child was excited about the classes. This occurred right when we were beginning, and I feel awful for my child.”
Another mother spent roughly 300,000 yen (around $1,900) for six months of tuition and additional charges, but noted that approximately two-thirds of the planned classes did not take place. “As a single mother, I allocated this sum from our limited household budget for my child’s education, even sacrificing my own lessons. I’m really confused,” she mentioned.
No one appeared to be present at the company’s headquarters, which is located in a rented office building, when a reporter from Mainichi visited on the afternoon of December 13. Calls to the company also remained unanswered. Parents are turning to local consumer centers and police stations for guidance.
(Japanese original by Buntaro Saito, Tokyo City News Department; and Richi Tanaka, Digital News Group)
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