Math center is more than just a business
PARTNER-FRANCHISEES of Galileo, a fun-based learning center of excellence for Mathematics, English and Singapore Math, say they are getting value for their money.
Dahlia Bagatsing, Christine Juan and Thomas Christopher Balmater say their franchise is worth every peso because of the fun and learning they acquire in operating the business.
The Galileo partners say it is fun to be with children and even more fun to expand their social circle. Students’ parents often refer neighbors, relatives and friends to the centers.
Rowie Juan Matti, Galileo founder, says every directors meeting “could last for hours because each of them share experiences unique to their areas.” Matti prefers to call them partners and directors, not franchisees, which is “too commercial.”
Partners learn from each other things they can adopt in their own centers, Matti says.
Balmater operates the Galileo center in Balanga, Bataan, and another in Subic.
Bagatsing’s Galileo center is in a business center while Juan’s Galileo center is in Sun Valley in Parañaque City.
While the partners have to make the effort to promote their centers, the three agree they have made wise investments. They say they see themselves growing personally alongside their business.
Balmater started with 30 enrollees and is now averaging 60 enrollees per month.
Galileo centers are enrichment and learning centers in Math, English and now Singapore Math, proactively teaching toddlers (from 3 years old) and children up to 12 years old in a fun-filled and challenging manner.
But Matti says the centers do not focus only on those sub- jects. They also teach children values and social appreciation.
Children can enroll anytime of the year and at any level, depending on assessments conducted before enrollment. Matti says a Grade 5 enrollee, who is found to have a foundation equivalent only to Grade 2, will be given courses in Grade 2 until he fully understands them before he can move on to another level.
The center charges P1,860 for eight sessions, divided into two sessions each week. Each session lasts 30-45 minutes. Enrollees will also have to pay a registration fee of P500 for Math or English and P2,500 per month plus registration fee of P500 for Singapore Math (Galileo is among the first to bring it to the country).
Matti says that while, initially, parents do not understand the learning value of Galileo, significant improvements in their children’s academic performance, like receiving honors and winning competitions, convince them the additional investment in their kids’ education is worthwhile.
Galileo, which is 10 years old, plans to open more centers in the Visayas and Mindanao, even in other parts of Asia, as there have been inquiries, Matti says.
Galileo comes in three forms: school-based, stand alone and corporate-based.
Matti says a partner or franchisee is evaluated based on: a) educators, parents or educators-at-heart; b) college or university four-year course graduate; c) has love and strong passion for children; d) has good English and Math skills; e) has excellent interpersonal and communication skills; f) is financially stable, and g) makes a full-time commitment as a Galileo center director.
Visit www.galileoenrichment.com.