SINGAPORE - An enrichment centre announced unexpectedly its closure on Monday, leading to police reports and disgruntled parents seeking refunds for unused lessons.
In a WhatsApp message on Monday afternoon, parents of children enrolled in Genius League were informed by its management that it would be “winding down operations”, but no dates were given.
A check on Facebook showed that the enrichment centre – with centres in Novena, Hougang and Tampines – specialised in right-brain training programmes, and trial classes were available to children aged from six months to 12 years.
Some parents who spoke to The Straits Times said right-brain training lessons involved flash cards and tabletop activities such as number matching and puzzles, as well as motor skills and sensory exposure activities. Each class had five to six pupils.
According to the WhatsApp message, the current management team took over from the previous owners in late February, and the team had been “operating from our funds, some term renewals and few new sales”.
Business records show that Beloved Genius, a company that was incorporated on Feb 23, was appointed business owner of Genius League that same day. Genius League was incorporated in October 2014, according to business records.
Beloved Genius has two shareholders – Ms Yee May Fang Yvonne, who is listed as its director, and Mr Tan Choon Kiat. Both Singaporeans share the same address in Woodlands.
In the same WhatsApp message on Monday, Genius League’s management claimed that issues such as noise disturbance from a tenant on the floor above the Novena branch and rent increases for both the Hougang and Novena branches contributed to its closure.
“The recent setbacks have made it increasingly difficult for us to continue operating as a sustainable business,” it said. “We have assessed the situation and came to the conclusion that we are unable to turn things around quickly to stay viable.”
In response to some parents who tried to seek recourse via WhatsApp, Genius League said: “Our management is now working with the relevant professionals on the transition according to the legal requirements in winding down a company. Do give us some time to respond to your queries.”
ST has contacted Genius League for more information.
The police on Thursday confirmed that reports had been lodged and said they are looking into the matter.
One of the parents who made a report, Ms Candice Toh, had enrolled her three-year-old for a package at the centre’s Novena branch. She said each lesson costs about $50 and her son has about 12 lessons left.
Her seven-year-old and five-year-old sons had also attended a year of classes in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
“If they didn’t just close down and disappear, I would recommend parents to the school,” the 39-year-old administrator said. “After this incident, I will worry about other enrichment centres suddenly closing down.”
She said the first sign of trouble was a WhatsApp message from Genius League on April 27 about “noise disturbances” during weekend classes caused by a tenant on the floor above, among other issues.
The management team informed parents that it would move its pupils from the Novena branch to the Tampines one on April 28 because of these issues.
Ms Toh said she sat behind her son during his lessons on Sundays at the Novena branch but had not noticed any noise disturbances as described by the centre’s management.
Another parent, who wanted to be known only as Grace, said she paid $2,388 to enrol her three-year-old in February in one of Genius League’s programmes for a year. Her son had attended nine lessons at the Hougang branch so far, and has 39 lessons left.
The 35-year-old administrator said she was shocked to hear about the centre’s closure as it was established in 2014.
“I hope they can refund the fee because $2,000 is not a small amount,” Grace added.
To discuss the next steps and help others affected, a Facebook group called “Get Genius League to Refund” was created on Monday by a parent who wanted to be known only as Mr Goh.
There were more than 50 members in the group as of Thursday afternoon. Some have urged others to file complaints while others made plans to meet up to lodge police reports.
Mr Goh, who is self-employed, said he paid more than $2,000 to enrol his one-year-old in a year-long package, and his son had attended only six classes.
The 34-year-old said he last went to the Tampines branch on Sunday, only to find out that the class was cancelled.
“I feel disappointed because I put my money and trust in the wrong hands,” he added.
Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) president Melvin Yong said Case received 12 complaints from consumers against Genius League from Monday to Wednesday.
“The complainants reported that they each paid between $399 and $2,388 upfront in enrichment lesson fees to Genius League,” he said, adding that they are seeking to recover more than $14,000 in unused prepaid lesson fees.
Mr Yong noted that it is usually “challenging” for consumers to recover their prepayments in the event of business insolvency, as preferential creditors – banks and employees of the company – will be paid first. Whatever remains will then be divided among unsecured creditors including customers, suppliers and landlords.
Case has contacted Genius League to understand the situation and their plans to compensate affected consumers but it has not yet responded, he added.
He said: “Against today’s challenging economic and business climate, there needs to be stronger safeguards to protect consumers from prepayment losses in the event of sudden business closure.
“We will continue to call on the Government to introduce mandatory prepayment protection such as escrows for sectors that collect large sums of prepayments, to safeguard consumers’ monies.”
Affected consumers can contact Case for assistance on 9795-8397 or visit www.case.org.sg
https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...gainst-enrichment-centre-after-sudden-closure
