A resident of Astana, Saltanat Yerzhanova, who suffered as a result of the actions of the Tesla Education educational centre, spoke at a round table in the Mazhilis dedicated to issues of supporting children with disabilities.
According to Ulysmedia.kz, the mother of five children told MPs that her family was among those affected after the centre ceased operations. She said that in the summer, her daughter — a Year 8 pupil — was enrolled there. To pay for the tuition, the woman took out an instalment plan for 800 thousand tenge, but the child never received any classes.
"The centre suddenly suspended its work. And we, like many other affected families, paid for a year in advance, a total of 800 thousand tenge. At the moment, the situation is very unclear: the children have been left without classes. Our family continues to pay the instalment plan in full," she said.
She noted that the situation has affected many families, including large families, and that, in her opinion, the country lacks effective mechanisms to protect consumers from unscrupulous organisations.
"Someone took the money and disappeared. We are fulfilling our obligations to the bank in full. But most importantly, our children's faith in the future of Kazakhstan's education sector has been undermined. My daughter asks every day: 'Where are my classes? Why am I not going to classes?'" she questioned.
Yerzhanova called on Mazhilis deputies to intervene and raise the issue at the state level.
Recall, in November, branches of the Tesla Education educational centre in Astana and Almaty unexpectedly ceased operations, leaving thousands of students who had paid for annual courses costing around one million tenge without classes. According to parents, centre staff suddenly left their work chats, and the offices closed.