School ordered to reduce fees by 20%

SABIS International School was on Thursday ordered by a Nairobi court to reduce school fees by 20% until official learning resumes in 2021.

Justice James Makau made the ruling on grounds that the students were not getting the full package lessons.

“Pending hearing and subsequent determination of the petition a conservatory order staying the implementation of payment of full fees, the petitioners are allowed to offset up to and 20 percent of payment so as to pay 80 percent of payment of full fees for term three, of the school year 2019-2020 or until schools are re-opened under the directions of the Ministry of Education,” ruled Justice Makau.

Adding: “The petitioners are likely to suffer prejudice as a result of the violation or threatened violation if the orders sought are not granted.”

Parents at the school wanted to pay 50% of the fees but the school argued that online learning was ongoing.

Elsewhere, Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Thursday, July 30, announced that all universities and colleges would reopen for face to face sessions in January 2021 as opposed to September this year.

CS Magoha arrived at the decision after meeting with stakeholders to deliberate the preparedness for the phase reopening of the institutions as directed by President Uhuru. 

In a statement, the education CS stated that only a few institutions have put up the Ministry of Health measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

““A survey of all Teacher Training Colleges, Universities and TVET institutions has shown that few of them have put in place necessary measures to comply with the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 protocols that can guarantee safety of staff and learners once they reopen,” read part of the statement.

Magoha stated that the final decision to reopen the institutions would be dependent on guidance from the Ministry of Health.