The Quezon City government said Tuesday, Aug. 16, that it will provide assistance to the students, parents, and teachers who were affected by the sudden closure of the Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL) in Barangay Bahay Toro.
“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," Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
"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 cared of,” she added.
The CDSL on Monday, Aug. 15, announced its permanent closure due to “financial instability and lack of financial viability brought about by the ongoing pandemic and exacerbated by consistent low enrollment turnout."
Belmonte has instructed the City Legal Department to look into how the city government can assist the affected and to ensure the school takes responsibility for all the inconveniences suffered by its stakeholders.
“The officials of Colegio de San Lorenzo have expressed their full cooperation in refunding tuition and other expenses such as books and uniforms; endorsing students to other schools and universities; and releasing the salaries and incentives of its teaching and non-teaching staff,” lawyer Orlando Paolo Casimiro, City Legal Department head, said.
The local government said the CDSL is currently releasing the students’ transcripts and documents for transfer, while students with outstanding fees are no longer required to settle their delinquencies.
According to the mayor, several schools have expressed their willingness to accommodate the students, while the Quezon City University (QCU) is also open to accepting interested students.
Students can check the courses offered by the QCU through its website: https://qcu.edu.ph/academics/
“The QCU will welcome the college students of CDSL and we will help in crediting their classes and helping them have a smooth transition to our university,” QCU president Dr. Theresita Atienza said.
The city government said that teachers and non-teaching personnel will be endorsed to the QC-Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for possible financial assistance or prospective employment.
Read more: Colegio de San Lorenzo announces closure