Herald
28 May 2011
Normalcy has returned to Cold Comfort Junior School following the intervention of Government, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Coltart said yesterday.
Minister Coltart said he had met representatives from the school on Tuesday evening and resolved that property ownership wrangles should not disadvantage pupils.
“I met the School Development Committee representatives who also had met with education directors in the ministry and ordered that there should be no lesson disruptions as they end up disadvantaging students.
“Of course the matter is before the courts but for progress’ sake we agreed that things should continue as they were before the dispute.
“We realised that both parties should act in the interests of the children because some of them are candidates who are writing this year,” he said.
Minister Coltart said there should be no fee increases at the school.
“Most parents are having difficulties in paying fees and I see no reason why a college should come and add a burden on top of what they are struggling to pay.
“Education is a basic right and should be accessible to all children,” he said.
Cold Comfort Junior School was charging US$50 per term while Herentals is asking for US$140, an amount which parents say is beyond their reach.
A visit by The Herald to the school yesterday showed that lessons had commenced with teachers and pupils confirming classes were in progress.
However, the lessons were being conducted concurrently.
“We met with parents after Government intervention and agreed that we should teach them.
“Of course it’s for the benefit of the children but as you can see there are two schools operating under the same roof.
“Herentals are doing their business and we are carrying ours but it’s an improper arrangement,” said one Cold Comfort Junior School teacher, who preferred anonymity for professional reasons.
A Herentals official said parents were free to join them.
“There have never been any problem in the first place. As you can see business is going on as usual and we are having our classes.
“We are not forcing anyone to join us,” said the official.
The school is embroiled in an ownership wrangle with the two companies (Uni-time Investments and Release Power Investment) involved claiming ownership of the property.
Release Power Investments runs the school.
Investigations have revealed that the two warring parties have separate title deeds to the same property.