Indian School Bahrain sue 'troublemakers', 'hatemongers'

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s largest expatriate school has pledged to move legally against a group of individuals accused of spearheading a malicious campaign against the institute.

The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) management said that despite repeated warnings, these people have continued with their “propaganda” aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the school.

In a statement, the management said it was victim to a “nefarious attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Indian School Bahrain.” It claimed that perpetrators of this “morally wrong act” were doing it for political or other self-centred reasons, while disregarding the school that is a centre of learning for over 13,000 students and 650 teachers.

The school’s Executive Committee says it is now left with no other choice but file a case against those adamant to promote false rumours against the school with the aim to tarnish its image.

One of the main allegations being spread against the school is that the institution was not allowing students with payment dues to attend their online class and trying to frame parents who react against the decision. However the school claims that only those students, whose parents were unresponsive to the school’s multiple reminders to pay dues and had large arrears were excluded from class – that too temporarily. Students were readmitted if parents paid at least a part of the dues or explained their financial crunch to the school.

Illegal fund-raising

The school claims that a group of people were trying to (illegally) raise funds through social media and other means supposedly to help parents with their financial problems. This has raised confusion among parents who keeps approaching the school to benefit from this fund. However the school has affirmed that it has not authorised any organisation or individual to collect funds for their students or parents.

Suicide rumour

Meanwhile a fake message was spread on social media that one of the parents had committed suicide after being forced by the school to clear dues. However no such incident is known to have taken place in the last six years, the school added. Another allegation being circulated is that staffs have not been paid salaries for four months due to the pandemic. Yet the school confirms that every staff member was paid 75 percent of their salary from July to September this year. The negative propaganda against the school too contributed to non-payment of fees by parents who were regular payers. This led to a further shortage of fund due to which staff could not be paid in full. However, the school is confident of paying the remaining salary dues with cooperation from parents and staff members. There are also allegations of corruption in sanctioning fee concession, thus leading to a demand of publicising the list of students who are availing this benefit given by the school. The school assures that only students whose parents are suffering financially have been given this concession and is decided after thorough scrutiny.