Free ECDL course at Zurrieq (1)

I am 62 and happily welcomed the news that Zurrieq council and TCTC were offering a free 30-hour course in preparation for the seven modules of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).

A leaflet was sent to all local households with "free" printed in big red print on the front. All interested people met the organisers on March 9 and we were told about 200 people applied, that this was not a beginners' course, but for people with a basic knowledge of computing. People without basic knowledge were offered a beginner's course before the ECDL course for a minimal charge of Lm10 payable there and then, after the meeting, a week before the course began.

We were also told that the course was free, but we were to pay the expenses for sitting for the exam and issue of certificates, this amounting to about Lm36. We were told that we could sit for the final exam in three years' time without any restrictions, any hurry, and above all, the final exams were not compulsory.

At the meeting, I asked again if the exams were compulsory, and the answer was "no". I did not want to sit for the exams as I had already sat for an equivalent exam and passed, so I did not need any certificates. I only needed to attend the course as a revision and it included lessons and notes on Microsoft Access that I didn't have.

The course began on May 3, but after only four lessons everybody was told to pay Lm36 within a week for all the seven exams or we would not be allowed to attend the lessons any more, even those who did not have the intention to sit for the final tests. To add insult to injury, we were told that we could attend a beginners' course for free.

I did not expect this kind of treatment from a company with a reputation as one of the best in Malta. TCTC backtracked from what they offered because only a few students booked and paid to sit for the final exams beforehand. When I referred to the local council they told me to refer to TCTC.

Meanwhile, I thank the local council and the lecturer who was very kind, helpful and dedicated all the time.