This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
Brookhouse International School has heaved a sigh of relief after a High Court injunction allowed virtual classes to resume for some classes, pending a case filed by parents over a school fees dispute.
On May 13, 2020, the High Court gave an order allowing virtual classes to resume for pupils in Kindergarten up to Year 4, effectively allowing 313 pupils whose education had been disrupted by the tussle between the institution and parents to continue with their studies.
According to a letter to parents by Rabih Saab, on behalf of the Board, the ruling is a 'win-win' for students, their parents, and the institution.
'This is the proper outcome for the children as so many parents had written to us asking that virtual learning continue to be provided,' Saab said.
However, parents will be required to foot 50% of the school fees as stipulated by the court by Monday, May 18, pending the hearing and determination of the matter, regardless of whether the pupils access virtual learning or not.
The court had ordered the school to lower school fees by 50% and to suspend learning for Early Years to Year 4 pending the determination of the matter.
The case is set to be heard on May 13, 2020, where Brookhouse will be hoping that the court rules in its favour after refusing to cede ground on school fees discounts offered to parents.
A section of parents under the Brookhouse Parents Association (BPA) banner had moved to court on April 30, 2020, and successfully secured an injunction ordering the institution to lower its school fees by half as parents lamented the school's 'insensitivity' due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
