Brookhouse schools ordered to offset 50% fees for 3rd term, halt online classes for kindergarten to Year 4

Parents and guardians of children who are enrolled at Brookhouse schools have been allowed to offset a 50 percent of school fees proforma for this term.

Justice Weldon Korir directed the move pending hearing and determination of the application for notice of motion dated April 29, 2020.

In addition, Brookhouse schools have been ordered to suspend online classes for students in Kindergarten up to Year 4.

The respondents are to file and serve their responses to the application and hearing upon service with the pleadings and submissions.

They are listed as the Directors of Brookhouse schools (1st respondent), Brookhouse schools (2nd respondent), the Attorney General (3rd respondent) and the Education Ministry (4th respondent).

Parents at Brookhouse schools moved to court in protest over the institution’s requirement that they pay full fees for this term.

Through their lawyer Ahmednassir Abdullahi, the parents sought to have the schools allow them to pay only 30% of the school fees.

They argued that offering “online classes” at the same fees rate as regular school terms amounts to contravention of consumer rights and violates Article 46 of the Constitution.

Further, the court was told that the move to have them pay full feed was unfair on its terms, unconscionable and unlawful.

The parents also claim that the quality of education conducted through email, unregulated online platforms and 20 minutes of free Zoom lessons by the school is wanting and is not commensurate to the fees being paid by parents.

“That comparatively, other schools offering a similar curriculum have made a considerable discount to parents in view of the deleterious effects of Covid pandemic,” court papers read.

Brookhouse school, which follows the British Curriculum,  has two campuses: one in Karen and another in Runda.

It is a co-educational, independent day and boarding school that serves children in pre-school (kindergarten), primary and secondary levels.