Trouble has erupted at MindChamps Reading & Writing at One KM in Tanjong Katong.
Seven trainers and two administrative staff at the centre have alleged that they were taken by surprise when the school closed early last month without notice.
They also told The New Paper (TNP) they have not been paid since July 21.
The first sign of trouble was when Mr Jack Ye Junfeng, 39, and Mr Daniel Ding Runqiang, 38, the two directors of MindChamps Reading & Writing at One KM, did not show up for work in August.
Ms Faith L, a trainer in her 30s, said: "We were notified (by the headquarters) to continue teaching and were assured that we will be paid."
But on Sept 11, the shutters came down.
"It was only when a parent called to ask why lessons had stopped that the staff found out," she told TNP.
When contacted, Mr Ye said he is no longer a director of MindChamps Reading & Writing at One KM.
"I had been voted out in August so I cannot speak on behalf of the centre," he said.
But when asked for details on who voted him out and when the vote was held, Mr Ye declined to comment further.
His partner, Mr Ding, could not be reached and his mobile phone line is no longer in use.
When TNP team visited the shop unit on the third storey of One KM, its shutters were down.
Other tenants at the shopping mall said the centre had been closed for about a month.
Established in 2008 by founder David Chiem, MindChamps Holdings commands the largest market share among premium pre-schools in Singapore, with more than 30 MindChamps PreSchools and MindChamps Reading and Writing Centres islandwide.
Its director of communications Greg Parker told TNP in an e-mail that the MindChamps Reading & Writing at One KM was a franchise and, as one, "it is ultimately owned by the franchisee who is responsible for the running of the business and all associated costs".
But it had "failed to meet MindChamps HQ's stringent quality control" and therefore its franchise licence has been revoked.
One of the trainers, Miss Dolma T, who would say only that she is in her 20s, confirmed this.
PROGRAMMES
"Their programmes are excellent, but they didn't focus on training the teachers or paying us on time," she said.
Mr Parker said the headquarters had stepped in to "service all One KM centre students" and fully refunded those who chose not to continue.
He also said that MindChamps has "ensured that the employees were paid up to the end of August".
"We understand some employees are still owed about a week's wages which were accrued in September," he said.
"We are supporting those employees in claiming for their unpaid wages from the franchisee through the small claims court.
"If they fail to claim back their money from the franchisee, we will also make good on any remaining unpaid wages.
"In addition, we also offered positions to those employees at HQ and other centres."
But several trainers said they are still owed their salaries from between July 21 and Sept 11.
Miss Dolma said she is still owed a month's salary of $1,500.
"I think HQ only paid the full timers. We have had to go to MOM (Ministry of Manpower) ourselves to put up a claim. I just feel that this whole thing has just been handled irresponsibly," she said.
The first case will be heard in the Labour Court today at 8.30am.
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This article was first published on October 20, 2016.
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