Brookhouse Schools has slashed its school fees for Term 3 by 50% after parents sued it over tuition fees for online lessons while learning institutions are closed.
In a statement sent to Kenyans.co.ke on Friday, May 8, Brookhouse management stated that it had adhered to a court ruling directing them to offer the 50% offset until Wednesday, May 13, before they appear in court for another ruling.
"The court also ordered that Until May 13, when the matter returns to the courts, parents could offset up to 50% of school fees for Term 3. The school had relied on receiving payment of the discounted fees to continue to maintain its infrastructure and pay its staff.
"Given the uncertain nature of the litigation, it (school) will, unfortunately, have to review its plan and seek to cut costs accordingly," the statement reads.
The school further explained that its effort to explore an amicable resolution out of court backfired after details of the meeting leaked on social media.
It clarified that it had earlier on offered to remove charges for transport or meals. Other discounts offered would be increased for Year 8 upwards from 10 to 20 %. Pre-1 to year 4 discounts would have remained the same at 30% and years 5-7 discounts would remain at 20%.
In addition, the school would arrange, for Pre-1 to 4, summer booster camp covering 3 hours of physical attendance lessons per day for 3 weeks before the start of the new academic years, to support those children who could not make full use of the virtual learning and to reengage in physical school life, be free of charge for all parents regardless of whether they are part of the suit or not, but in terms of a limited basis.
"In the meantime, the school's legal team is preparing a response and looks forward to having its side of the dispute heard. The petition will go back to court on May 13, and a ruling will be delivered at some point after that date. It is not clear whether this will be concluded before the end of the academic year. Unfortunately, in the meantime, there is a continued disruption of teaching, an adverse impact on the staff of the school and damage to community relations.
"Since being served with the interim injunction, Brookhouse has received a large number of complaints from parents asking for further details of the petition and requesting the resumption of learning for the early years - Year 4 group as soon as possible. These parents are mindful that only a few weeks remain in Term 3 before the end of the academic year on June 19, 2020. The fate of these 313 children will have to await the court's decision," the document read.
Another group of Brookhouse parents also applied to join in support of the school to present their alternative views of the level of fees and the suspension of virtual learning from that of the petition.
"They have informed Brookhouse that they are not represented by the petitioners and wish their children to continue learning and for the school to have the financial resources required to maintain its staff," the statement reads.
