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August 15, 2022, could have been a sweet and memorable day as parents and students of the college department gathered in Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL), a private Catholic educational institution located in Quezon City, for the start of the school year 2022-2023.
But it all turned sour when the supposed to be school's opening of classes, became the day that it will announce its permanent closure. No one saw it coming.
The shock of our lives
A mom from Quezon City, whose identity we have kept confidential, told Smart Parenting that like her daughter, she is saddened by the fact that what could've been something certain in a time of pandemic became a blur and a lot more.
"Last Saturday, I saw the post from Colegio de San Lorenzo College's Facebook page that there will be a general assembly of parents and students. August 15 should have been the first day of school in the College Department," she said.
"Being a hands-on mom to my two daughters from the start, I gladly obliged to attend, only to have the shock of our lives. Lawyers, representing the owners of the school, announced the closure of the institution. They did it by reading a letter issued by the owner of the CDSL."
CDSL already issued a statement, saying that the Board of Trustees has decided upon the permanent closure of the institution due to financial instability because of the low turnout of enrollees and lack of financial viability brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
PHOTO BY FACEBOOK /COLEGIODESANLORENZOADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThe mom explained that upon hearing this, she felt anger, panic, and sadness all at the same time.
"Troubled, because my daughter is a 4th-year graduating student. Panic, because classes in most colleges and universities have already started and it will be difficult to transfer. Sadness, because my daughter was so frustrated because she thought everything will be okay after her summer internship, and now we are faced with uncertainty."
The school assured parents that they will facilitate refunds and assist in the timely release of their credentials without any fees so they can transfer to other schools with ease. However, the mom said, it would take more than that to fix the damage that has been done. She hoped that the school had informed them not on the supposed first day of school, at the very least.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch now"They left us with no choice. We are pleading for the school to at least help the graduating students finish their courses even for this last school year. We hope and pray that they will be considerate enough for the sake of our children."
Never losing faith
The Department of Education is set to meet with the representatives of CDSL soon. Atty. Michael Poa, DepEd's spokesperson said, "We are asking the owners or the officials of the school to appear before the regional director in Quezon City to find out explain why are they closing down, but more significantly, ano yung plano nila para doon sa mga mag-aaral or learners na parang madi-displace ngayon," Manila Bulletin reports.
The Quezon City government meanwhile assured that it will "coordinate with other schools, colleges, and universities where affected students can transfer with their credentials credited.”
"I sympathize too for the displaced employees of the school, like us, they too have financial responsibilities to handle."
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the LGU will also assist CDSL teachers in looking for new jobs through its public employment and service office, according to a report by the Philippine Star.
The mom, above all, is worried about her daughter's mental health.
"We pray that in God's perfect time, she will graduate and achieve her goals and dreams. He will be our guide."
"As far as I know, my daughter has been feeling depressed - for going through the additional school year because of the K-12, for experiencing this unusual educational setup due to the pandemic, and now the closure of their school. Just the thought of going to a new school gives her and her classmates' low esteem."
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWREAD ALSO: 7 Expert Ways to Get Your Tween or Teen to Really Talk to You
List of schools welcoming CDSL students
Neighboring schools and even popular universities welcomed the displaced students by posting announcements in their respective social media pages. Here are some of those that we have gathered, for reference to parents who might find it useful at this time.
Villagers Montessori College
18 Dalsol Rd., Project 8, Quezon City
- Waived entrance examination
- Flexible admission requirements
- Low down payment scheme and flexible tuition fee arrangement
Read the full details here
College of Saint Catherine
362 Quirino Hi-way, Baesa Quezon City
- Waived entrance examination
- Requirements will be accepted upon completion at a later time
Read the full details here
Thames International School
Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
- Partial scholarship
- Seamless transfer
Read the full details here
UST Angelicum College
112 M.J. Cuenco st. Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
- Scholarship through matched tuition fees as CDSL’s for the current school year
- Low down payment of P5,000 and deferred balance until refund from CDSL is received
- 1-day admission process
- Seamless transfer of records
- Assistance to obtain GASTPE subsidy
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWRead the full details here
NU Nazareth School
272- Plaza Sta. Teresita St., Sampaloc, Manila
- Scholarships and discounts
- Lower tuition fee
- Extension to submit required documents
- No textbooks required
- Free router (internet)
Read the full details here
Quezon City University
673 Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Batasan Road, Quezon City
- Enrollment ongoing
Read the full details here
University of the East
2219 Recto Ave., Sampaloc, Manila
- P3,000 downpayment
- Assigned a helpdesk for CDSL transferees for smooth assistance and transaction
Read the full details here
In a report by CNN Philippines, Poa said a total of 717 CDSL students from nursery to grade 12 and 652 college students were affected by the closure.
In the end, the mom knows that there is still a glimmer of hope amid this devastating turn of events. "But then we, her family will be here for her to guide and assure her that everything will be okay soon. We pray that in God's perfect time, she will graduate and achieve her goals and dreams. He will be our guide."
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWSources: CNN Philippines, PhilStar, Rappler
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