By Bruce Asemota
The Christmas vacation judge, Justice Landing M Sanneh of the High Court in Banjul, has ordered that Mammy Coumba Ngum and Maryan Ngum, students of Apple Tree International School who were recently expelled from the school, be allowed to resume attending school, classes, lectures, taking tests and examinations pending the hearing and determination of a notice of motion dated 20th December, 2020 filed before the said court.
Justice Landing M Sanneh made this decision in a ruling delivered yesterday, 28th December, 2020 premised on an ex-parte motion filed before the court which sought permission for the matter to be heard during the Christmas period.
The High Court Judge also made an interim injunction ordering Apple Tree International School, their privies, servants/and or agents from acting contrary to the High Court order for the two students to resume school immediately.
Paragraph 31 of the affidavit sworn to by one Alhaji Ngum, the father of the girls, disclosed that his daughters over the years have built a strong connection and love for the school incomparable to any other school.
The affidavit further disclosed that on the 30th November at around 5 to 6pm after school hours, his daughters were involved in a fight outside the school premises with other students, adding that the school authority was bias in only suspending the other students and expelling his daughters.
Ngum further argued that his children have never been involved in any fight or violated any school rules prior to this incident.
He argued that that they are due to take the Grade 9 final examination which is very significant in their future progression to high school and unless the school’s decision is reversed, they would not be able to take examination this year, as no school is ready and willing to admit them at this stage.
The affidavit also disclosed that the action of the school does not promote and enhance the right of the applicants as guaranteed under the 1997 Constitution and the Children’s Act, 2005. The matter will resume on January 4 for hearing.
