This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On May 13, 2020, High Court Judge Weldon Korir made a ruling that allowed virtual classes to resume at Brookhouse Schools in Nairobi for students who wish to participate.
The ruling came after a petition by parents who accused the school management of maintaining high school fee rates despite the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justice Korir stopped online classes for Kindergarten to Grade IV on April 30, 2020, pending the determination of the petition.
However, in a Consent Order granted on May 13, 2020, the court allowed virtual classes to resume for Kindergarten to Year IV pupils for those who wish to take part.
Brookhouse school management expressed its delight with the court's decision, stating that the most urgent issue to be resolved was to present the case for a re-introduction of virtual learning for younger children.
“The most urgent issue to be resolved was to present the case for a re-introduction of virtual learning for younger children. This was a key focus for the Brookhouse and parents legal teams, knowing the negative impact this has had on 313 of its children in Kindergarten to Year IV,” the school said in a statement.
Justice Korir also ordered the Attorney General to file a response to the petition on behalf of the Ministry of Education within 14 days.
“Attorney General on behalf of the 3rd and 4th Respondents to file and serve responses to the Petition and Submissions within 14 days from today’s date,” Justice Korir said.
The case filed by lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi on behalf of parents who want the court to order Brookhouse to lower its fees by 30 per cent will be heard on June 8, 2020.
