Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL) did not formally inform the Department of Education (DepEd) of their intent to close, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

CDSL, a private Catholic educational institution located in Quezon City, announced its permanent closure on Monday, Aug. 15, due to financial instability and lack of financial viability because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“While students have already enrolled for the upcoming school year 2022-2023, it would be difficult for Colegio de San Lorenzo to continue operating due to the low turnout of enrollees this year. In connection with this development, we will initiate full refunds of fees paid (i.e. tuition, uniform expenses, book expenses) and assist all students for their transfer to other schools and educational institutions by timely releasing their records and credentials for such purpose,” said CDSL in an official statement.

This, according to DepEd, is a voluntary closure. DepEd also stated that they will only issue an acknowledgement of closure after the transfer credentials of all the affected students have been processed and released by CDSL.

In order to help the displaced students, DepEd said that they will help in finding schools who will be willing to absorb the learners.

“Our primary concern is the learners. There is already a private school in Quezon City that got in touch with DepEd and informed us that they are willing to absorb students, particularly Grades 11 and 12 at the same tuition rate as that of Colegio de San Lorenzo. We hope that more schools would do the same,” said Poa.

Meanwhile, Poa likewise stressed that the Department will further look into the situation and assess what kind of assistance they may offer to displaced teachers. He added that under Section 84 of Department Order No. 88 s. 2010, private school teachers who are terminated due to voluntary closure of private schools are entitled to receive separation pay.