A parent has taken SABIS International School Runda to court, accusing the institution of unlawfully withholding academic transcripts for his two children over a disputed fee balance of Ksh 777,900. In a petition filed at the High Court, the parent claims the school’s actions violate the minors’ fundamental rights, including their right to education, dignity, and consumer protection.
According to court documents, the two children were enrolled at the school on August 31, 2024, after the parent allegedly paid full tuition for the first academic term, which ran from September to November. The minors completed the term, participated in coursework, and sat for examinations.
However, due to unforeseen family obligations, they did not return for the second term. The parent says he promptly informed the school of their withdrawal and requested the release of academic transcripts and a formal release letter to facilitate their transfer to schools abroad.
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Despite repeated follow-ups through emails and in-person visits, the school allegedly declined to release the documents. The situation escalated when the children, scheduled to leave the country in December 2024, departed without receiving their academic records.
The school reportedly insisted that the parent must first pay the full second-term fees amounting to Ksh 777,900 even though the children did not attend any classes during that period. The parent argues that this demand is unjustified and amounts to bad faith, especially since the school had already received full payment for the term the children attended.
In a letter dated March 28, 2025, the parent reiterated that he had fulfilled his financial obligations for the first term and even offered to pay a prorated amount equivalent to one week of attendance in the second term. The school, however, is said to have rejected the offer and maintained its demand for the full term’s fees.
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The petitioner is now asking the High Court to declare that the school’s actions infringe on the children’s constitutional right. He further argues that the withholding of transcripts has jeopardized the minors’ chances of admission to other schools, locally and internationally.
The parent is seeking a mandatory injunction compelling the school to immediately and unconditionally release the academic transcripts and release letter. He is also requesting a prohibitory order to prevent the school from using academic records as leverage for any alleged debt. The court has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
By Masaki Enock
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