If You Can’t Pay Fees, Leave My School: Brookhouse School Owner Tells 'Stubborn' Kenyan Parents

If You Can’t Pay Fees, Leave My School: Brookhouse School Owner Tells 'Stubborn' Kenyan Parents

Brookhouse School owner Nadim Nsouli has told off a section of parents who sued the institution last week for demanding payment of full school fees amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The parents, through senior counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi, moved to court seeking to have the school’s management stopped from demanding full fees. They argued that the institution should not charge them full fees since their kids are attending virtual classes daily and the parents are doing the bulk of the work. The parents said online learning has left a lot of burdens citing the cost of electricity, internet, computers, and printing, among others. 

Brookhouse is an independent British curriculum day and boarding school offering early years, preparatory and secondary schooling. Its fees range from Sh150,000 for the lowest level to Sh1.5 million a term for seniors.

Last week, a Nairobi court ruled in favor of the parents, ordering the school to allow them to pay only half of term three’s fee pending hearing and determination of the suit.

But Nsouli, in minutes of a Zoom meeting appearing online, said Brookhouse parents must pay full fees or else leave the school.

Nsouli, a Lebanese-British national tycoon, reminded the parents that he recently invested $25 million (Sh2.6 billion) in opening Brookhouse Runda and will not allow a few individuals to stop his business from making profits.

He further questioned why it is only Kenyan parents complaining, out of the 64 schools his education consortium runs around the world.

“I have never encountered such behavior from any other schools, or ever in my life,” he says.

Nsouli said he would rather have 40 percent of the school population paying 100 percent fees than have 100 percent of the population paying 40 percent.

“There is no way I am going to run a loss-making venture. The assumption worldwide that we’re making savings by physical schools being closed is false,” he said, adding that he has 6,000 employees including teachers and support staff such as pool cleaners who need to be paid for their services.

“We gave you a distress fund which has little uptake because you are too embarrassed to take up a distress fund. Your demands are unreasonable and if you cannot afford to pay for services of my school, you have options; LEAVE,” the owner told the parents.

 

Comments

TupiganieUhuru… (not verified)     Thu, 05/07/2020 @ 03:25pm

He can also LEAVE Kenya since he has such low opinion for Kenyans, take your school elsewhere

Tom (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:02pm

In reply to by TupiganieUhuru… (not verified)

Do this arrogant businessman give value to Kenyans for their hard earned money or looted whatever the matter.He has low opinion of Kenyan ,forgetting that his crazy investment is in our soil.He need apologize to the Kenyan parents who have their kids there or close down those crazy schools.We have many successful Kenyans who did not attend a crown school.That was not a language of a man bragging of his massive investment all over the world.He think Kenyans are fools that why he can say better have 40percent paying 100 percent school fees than 100 percent paying 40 percent fees.He has colonial mentality.Kenyans you better wake up before it’s too late.we have other school offering same services with respect and dignity

Judy W. chege (not verified)     Sat, 05/09/2020 @ 05:45am

In reply to by TupiganieUhuru… (not verified)

To be fair unless the parents de-register the child the private schools are still responsible for their child's education so either pay up, negotiate a discount or register with a free public school.agree with the school.A lot of work goes into predicting results. Also, they have overheads, staff to pay. It is not their fault the school is closed during this lockdown. I think parents should pay.If these parents need a refund then they are living outside their means and can't afford that lifestyle.And Mmm-mmm!-Are the University students getting refunds on their accommodation now that they have closed?

Patricia James (not verified)     Thu, 08/27/2020 @ 05:18am

In reply to by Judy W. chege (not verified)

A customer is always right. With our customers, you have no business. Even in Britain, some business have been massively affected. This guy wants to go on ad if it is bussiness as usual. That kind of arrogant attitude needs to be tamed. He should be left without the 40% he is talking about so that next time he will lead to respect customers who are the primary principals in any bussiness.

Anne (not verified)     Thu, 05/07/2020 @ 04:46pm

He need to leave Kenya and go somewhere else, or close the school that not the only school offers British curriculum, he has to take the loss I'm not paying sorry

Mugikuyu (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 12:02am

In reply to by Anne (not verified)

He can fold up his school shove it in a sack and take it to Lebanon. He can not force parents to pay for services he is not offering. Making losses is what most businesses are going through right now.
Why can't we improve the quality of our children's edu in public schools so we don't have to pay foreign companies so much money?

Abato (not verified)     Thu, 05/07/2020 @ 04:56pm

Why are Kenyans allowing this group of people to educate their children?
The children will be bougie but no self esteem and self loathing tendencies.

JustMe (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:35am

In reply to by Abato (not verified)

What I usually find with kids who've gone thro' most of these systems - they have a bloated self esteem, are quite good with their language, but wait until they grow up and become independent.....they find it hard to get their footing especially if they hit something that pulls them back...say job loss or parents are not there to chip in. Our public/local schooled kids are hard, they navigate the world like adults....but sometimes have a challenge valuing themselves right....that ever elusive balance...

Regina (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:49am

In reply to by Abato (not verified)

The Kenyan people still suffer from the remnants of colonial misgivings! Anytime they see a “white” skin, they go numb and start acting stupid!

This colored man has no educational value interests in the children attending his school! He looks at the black children as commercial enterprise for him to make money.

Maybe this spat will waken up those Kenyan parents who tend to think their kids are getting the best education simply by looking at the fancy building! And yes, there are many other public schools in Kenya your children can attend and be successful in life!

The parents are paying for the buildings and not for a quality education. And do I tell the disillusioned parents - just keep paying the full amount and stop complaining because your kids are hanging out with a colored dude!

Wake up people and tell the guy to pack up and head back to Lebanon!

Kenya (not verified)     Thu, 05/07/2020 @ 05:03pm

Close your dumb school and move to countries where parents are paying 100% of school fees. Wakenya hawataki upusi.

Vivian (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 12:20pm

In reply to by Seneca (not verified)

Sadly I agree with you! He needs to be lifted and dropped in some place in Lebanon! Someone better tell him to wake up and understand he is in Kenya; a country owned by black people! We are tired of the white shit!

You can tell he is a red-neck by just looking at his ugly face! I want to punch this freaking dude; and proudly go to jail for it!

He looks like he could eat black people for lunch!

Lari (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:01am

In reply to by Sheila Hendrich (not verified)

It is the attitude that my son goes to school there (that nice looking school with white walls and red roof) kind of feel good moment! Don’t know why the parents are complaining after they screwed themselves!

You can stand on roof top to tell them there other better schools in Kenya but they will still get bated by the shiny white walls and the butterfly looking red roof! Let them pay the 💯% fees to keep the status quo!!

westfunny (not verified)     Thu, 05/07/2020 @ 09:02pm

Typical uppity of non-african foreigners. If he doesn't like Kenyans he can take his business back to UK where the brits won't give him troubles.

Mike (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 01:19am

As rude as he is even arrogant I think he is right if you don't like his product/service, overpriced or can't afford it then source somewhere else.

Serena (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:18am

It just get pissed off when I see a white colored dude outrightly cheating Kenyans!

The parents are right to demand reduced fees because they are doing the bulk of the work, while he is shamelessly demanding the full fees payment.

This m-f@ck should be forced to close his damn British school and haul it in a sack back to Camden, England where they kill each other on a broad daylight! What an a&shole!? Really?

Kenya si ya mama yako! Deport the son-of-a-bitch like yesterday!!

Roberts (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:33am

A Lebanese with some British connections? Holy cow! The Lebanese are the most racist creatures in the face of the earth!

They have no regard for lack folks! Just listen to the way he is talking to the parents! He reminds of me of Sahamed, the most racist University class mate I had.

I have lived in their damn country and they all suck when it comes to the way they treat black people! And now you take this asshole talking crap to Kenyans who he has no regard for? He is looking at your children as articles of commercial value with a price tag of $25 million.

Get this idiot out of Kenya very quickly!!! Huyu ni monkey kabisa!!!

Dr maSewerage. PhD (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:42am

Shut up your stinking mouth And take your stool to your native Lebanon. Racist.
This school was grabbed from the matibas anyway.

Dr maSewerage. PhD (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:52am

Shut up your stinking mouth And take your skool to your native rundown Lebanon. u Racist.
This school was grabbed from the matibas anyway.

Totaline (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:16am

Nsouli - you should have kept your damn mouth shut and give the parents a 10% discount to shut them up!

But, you had to bring the attention on your poor performing school which Magoha May just decide to close!

Most Lebanese tend to act jumpy without thinking if the dire consequences. Lack of simple wisdom is deeply pricey!

Beirus Yahamarti (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:24am

Nsouli - And how about you put your damn school in a small treasure bag, put it on your camel back, just like Ali Baba, and haul it to the war torn Syria so that Assad can have a school for the Syrian children?

Maish eastlando (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:40am

Ati he has never seen such behavior, yeah we have never experienced covid before too. Shenzi type lakini kusema ukweli if you can afford 1.5M in fees .......all am saying nilienda public school na fees ilikuwa 10,000, covid or no covid hakuna siku tuliwahi kulipa yote lol.

Karago W. (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 07:10am

JUST find other schools parents .This is an insult at its peak. leave NO child in this damn school there are so many schools in Kenya Instulting parents is unheard of . take his licence and deport this dude

Hemmingway Saisi (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 08:12am

This dude sounds like an angry racist. Has he seen the videos of Americans lining for food ? Take your predatory school out of Kenya moron !
I blame the Kenyan parents too who take their kids to this schools just to appear ' wealthy.'
It is NOT my money,but just look at the disparaging language from this lunatic...

Sis Peter (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 01:08pm

In reply to by Hemmingway Saisi (not verified)

He is a damn angry racist with a huge inflated chip on his left shoulder! He thinks he can talk anyhow to Kenyans. Bin Sultan just need to understand that Kenya is not Halili Lebanon! He is a dummy to even not want to listen to the parents concerns! Magoha need to close this school for good!

MauMau (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 12:08pm

Nsouli - had Jomo Kenyatta been alive, he would have given you 24 hours to leave Kenya! Unlike Jomo, Uhuru will not deport you because he is a coward!!! Or maybe we should just dare Uhuru; jameni!!!

Mwindawiro (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 12:13pm

Nsouli - pack your shit and start walking toward the Somalia board on foot and vanish in the Kisimayu bush! I no longer want your damn school in Kenya! Go set up for the terrorists in Somalia.

Judy W. chege (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 12:49pm

The statement realized could have been worded differently.However, Private schools are businesses and are in the same boat as everyone else.The school is providing activities on a regular basis with a staff that need to be paid.‘In the end, the parents have to pay if the school demonstrate that they are doing the best that they can.the staff are spending hours each today, planning student's lessons.If the parents Stop paying fees then school can't pay staff = school closes and the public school will be flooded with extra pupils.They too have bills to pay and dependents and would stand to lose their jobs. It would be the same as saying that we shouldnt pay property tax because services are delivered differently

Dave (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 01:15pm

I will throw a dirty shoe 👠 at your damn face! A pointy woman shoe 👠👡🥿 for that matter!! Give the students a damn discount! Will you🩳👩‍👧‍👧🦺👩‍👩‍👧‍👧??

Dave (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 01:19pm

Nsoili - you duck this one 👢partner! George Bush ducked this one 🥾!! Let see if you have the swiftness of an ol man! Shame on you!!!

Hanna (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 02:09pm

Habib! Here is a gift 💝 from your prostitute sister in Lebanon- 👙- just a pair of dirty 👙these! I thought you promised not to screw kids in Africa?

Brooky housy (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:18pm

Why blame this guy for nothing,either pay or leave very simple .kutaka makubwa na mhayawezi

Kujipanga Kibowen (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:25pm

He is in business to make a profit and succeed. So all you morons with mouth diarrhea telling him to pack and leave, go to Kenya and open a school for free. Some of you are throwing stones yet you reside in a glass dome! There some who run orphanage homes yet they pocket all the money. If you can afford then it is for you, if not take your kid/kids to Dandora Primary school, Dandora High school, and finally Dandora college!

Sang (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 06:52pm

In reply to by Kujipanga Kibowen (not verified)

Are you and DP Ruto business partners to Nsouli!? You are being hypocritical because you damn well know he is cheating the parents!

No body said that Nsouli should not charge school fees. All the folks are saying is simply that the price can be better regulated because the children are not being taught at school. It is the parents who are now doing the most school work helping the kids at home.

School is not like the little shake tri mechanic kind of work you do fixing air conditioners in Canada where you have to cheat little old ladies to make an extra dollar! They are better regulated to benefit every body.

He can refund a percentage of the money for room and board, unconsumed meals and a few other activities!

He is just being as greedy as Ruto himself who steals public funds without considering the average Kenyans need something to fall back on in hard times!

So do not lecture those airing their views because they have a valid point!

formerlyguest2 (not verified)     Fri, 05/08/2020 @ 03:32pm

Lol he is acting out of panic - give him a few months and he will be begging those parents to bring back the "shildren" . Better yet those parents who could afford such school should mobilize themselves and create a whole new school . There is a brookhurst international owned by a Kenyan hapo Ngong Hills, it has British curiculum and very well run by our own Kenyans - Transfer your children there - problem solved for Mr. Lebanese .

https://brookhurstschool.or.ke/

Catherine Mwen… (not verified)     Sat, 05/09/2020 @ 08:52am

He certainly does not have to speak so condescendingly to parents. He seems to be an uncouth man. But he has a point...pay up or leave. There are many other choice schools in the same locale. Parents should take advantage of this. Maybe this guy speaks to parents like this because of who his local business partner is. He has to be getting these guys from somewhere....

Joshua Josiah (not verified)     Thu, 06/24/2021 @ 03:18pm

This bastard does not care about Kenyans. He only cares about making profit. Take your business elsewhere we can do without you. Actually we Kenyans know Lebanese don’t like us Africans anyway so get the hell out…

Mjuanji (not verified)     Mon, 03/13/2023 @ 10:09pm

There is no need to insult this guy. If you cannot afford the school fees in this school, try somewhere else. There are so many other private schools. This person is in business and no one is being compelled to bring their children there. In business you are either in or out. Nobody should insult this guy just because he is an expatriate.

Licilici (not verified)     Mon, 03/13/2023 @ 10:45pm

Was reflecting and wondering what in the world those kids are served in class that is that expensive and why parents would pay over a million per term when I came across, "Nsouli said he would rather have 40 percent of the school population paying 100 percent fees than have 100 percent of the population paying 40 percent." That is = to sheer arrogance and extortion. This is when you miss one Arap Moi, RIP.

Godhavemercy (not verified)     Tue, 03/14/2023 @ 02:52pm

Kenyans need to respect themselves. Are we back in 1950s. Mbwa wewe. They take all kind of shit from this wakoloni. This bastard sound more like an Afrikaner. This is how they used to look down on the Africans. Real racist and foaming from his mouth. I would hate to work for him. What a jerk. Fools sending their children to a school run by this cold hearted MF. Fu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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