International House Darwin: English language school shuts doors, forcing students interstate

A Darwin English language school has abruptly shut shop, leaving students and staff with ‘no idea’ what they will do, weeks out from Christmas. Read the details.

Students and staff were informed of the “shock” closure by email on Monday afternoon. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

The sudden closure of education provider International House Darwin has left students and staff without a job or enrolment just weeks out from Christmas.

The Sydney-based company went into voluntary administration on November 29, and shut its Darwin CBD location to the “shock” of staff and students on Monday.

Students were sent an email from administrator Glenn Franklin of PKF informing them of the next steps available to them.

“To ensure your education journey continues without disruption, we have partnered with Greenwich College to facilitate the transfer of all current IH students,” Mr Franklin wrote.

Mr Franklin was contacted for comment.

The doors were locked and copies of the email were attached to the windows. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

And while students had been offered a transfer to Greenwich College, one problem loomed large: the alternative college is not based in the Northern Territory.

Students were directed to make “alternative arrangements” and contact the tuition protection service.

Twenty-five-year-old Leonardi from Indonesia was studying at IH Darwin as a pathway to enrolment at CDU.

“Right now I have no idea what I will do,” he said.

Hiroki Shibata, 26, from Japan said he was worried about his classmates.

Hiroki Shibata said many students will have to leave Darwin. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“I was planning to go to Sydney anyway,” Mr Shibata said.

“But for my friends it’s a big issue – they’re forced to leave Darwin.”

Victoria Vydra from Argentina lost her job and her education on the same day.

“We knew [International House] had gone into administration on the 29th of November, but Friday last week they told us they had found a buyer,” Ms Vydra said.

Victoria Vydra likes living in Darwin, but will leave if she has to. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“So I came to work on Monday as usual.

“I was trying to reassure the students, but then the news came to all of us and it was a huge shock.”

Ms Vydra said while she enjoys living in Darwin, she said she would move if she had to.

“I was enjoying my job and life here in Darwin,” she said.

“But now I’ve lost everything – if I have to move I will.”

Mojtaba Afzali was the head teacher at IH Darwin, and he said the closure had happened suddenly.

Mojtaba Afzali has lost his job, but said his most concerned for the students. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“It was shocking for everyone,” he said.

Mr Afzali said he was worried about students securing visas during this uncertainty, especially with the Federal government’s recent moves to cap international student numbers.

“It’s a complicated process for these students,” Mr Afzali said.

“They now need to find another education provider that can provide them with a confirmation of enrolment, which they then need to provide to the immigration office for their visas.”

Mr Afzali tried to reassure the confused students and explain the next steps for them. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Another student, Cheong from China, had just started at IH Darwin one day earlier.

Another student was locked out of the building, unable to obtain the physical graduation certificate handed to him the week before.

Chief executive of International House Timothy Eckenfels apologised to those affected.

“I send my sincerest apologies to everyone who has been impacted by this,” Mr Eckenfels said.

He blamed the Federal government for the closure, citing caps on international student numbers and the increase in student visa fees as the “nail in the coffin”.