THE Department of Education yesterday said it will help parents find schools for their children enrolled at the Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City that shut down permanently last Monday due to financial difficulties.
The sudden closure of the school caused confusion and sparked outrage from students, parents, and faculty members.
In a short letter sent to parents and students, CDSL said it is closing due to “financial instability and lack of financial viability.” This surprised students, especially those who paid their tuition and other expenses, including uniforms and books.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Tan Poa said officials of Colegio de San Lorenzo did not inform the department of their intent to close with less than a week to go before the opening of classes on August 22.
“We will find schools that can help absorb students since classes will start in just a few days,” Poa said.
Poa said a private school also in Quezon City has communicated with the DepEd, expressing readiness to absorb the affected students, especially Grade 11 and 12 senior high school students.
He said the DepEd is confident more schools would also come to the rescue of the affected students.
Poa also called on Colegio de San Lorenzo to immediately facilitate the transfer of records of students and refund the tuition of those who have already enrolled for the incoming school year.
Teachers who will lose their jobs are entitled to separation pay, according to Poa.
“As to any form of assistance that the DepEd can provide, we will explore this. But again, I have to emphasize that these are private school teachers,” Poa said.
Poa said the decision of Colegio de San Lorenzo is a “voluntary closure.”
“As per our protocols, the DepEd will only issue an acknowledgement of closure once we are assured that the transfer credentials of the affected students are processed and released by the school,” he said.
CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III also said they were not informed of the decision.
“The closure of Colegio de San Lorenzo is so sudden that is why we have a problem with this,” De Vera told radio DZBB.
De Vera said his office is already communicating with the management of Colegio de San Lorenzo to ensure that affected students will get a refund of their tuition and other fees.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the city’s legal department, under Atty. Orland Paolo Casimiro, to look into how the city government can help those affected by the closure of Colegio de San Lorenzo and ensure the school takes responsibility for the inconvenience it caused.
“We will extend all possible assistance to the students and parents, especially since the school year has started. We shall help in coordinating with other schools, colleges, and universities where affected students can transfer with their credentials credited,” said Belmonte.
“We need to ensure that no student will encounter any delay in their studies, especially the graduating or senior ones, and that their refund will be given quickly. The teaching and administrative personnel should also be taken care of,” added Belmonte.
Casimiro met yesterday with representatives of the school, who vowed to refund the tuition and other fees paid by the students. — With Victor Reyes