The Department of Education-National Capital Region has formed a task force to probe Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City after it announced its permanent closure last Monday, 15 August.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the task force will coordinate with the owners of the private school for a conference scheduled for today.
Poa said they are asking the owners or the officials of the school to appear before the regional director to explain why they decided to close down their school and what their plans are for the displaced students.
“So, that’s really what we want to solve here, to find a way the learners can still go to school,” he said.
Poa said they can also ask the public schools to help and absorb the displaced students.
“The problem is this is just a private school, so it’s also likely that they also want to move to another private school. So, we’re really hoping that other private schools would help us,” he said.
The Quezon City government has opened its doors to facilitate all concerns and complaints as part of its assistance to students, parents, teachers, and employees of the said school.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Quezon City local government said its helpdesk Hotline 122 will accept complaints about the CDSL closure, citing financial reasons and low enrollment turnout over the past years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Maaari ding mag-message sa ating Facebook page o sa Quezon City Government Website (quezoncity.gov.ph) para ito ay matugunan ng Education Affairs Unit at City Legal Department ng Quezon City,” the FB post read.
Meanwhile, lawyer Orlando Paolo Casimiro, of the city’s Legal Department, met with representatives of CDSL on Tuesday to discuss measures to help affected students, parents, teachers, and other employees.
The CDSL is reportedly ready to refund the tuition and other fees intended for books and uniforms.
Representatives said they will expedite the release of students’ documents needed for their transfer. Teaching and non-teaching personnel will be endorsed to the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office to be assisted in looking for employment and financial assistance.
It was learned that CDSL has a total of 1,369 students — 717 are from nursery to Grade 12, while 652 are college students. Some 172 are supposed to graduate this school year.