THE Quezon City local government is looking into the possible legal liabilities of Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL), which announced its closure on the supposed first day of classes for School Year 2022 to 2023.
“Aside from being unfair, that’s very unusual that you’re scheduled to hold your first day of classes and then you announce that the school is closing. Definitely, there's something we need to find out,” Quezon City legal department head Attorney Orlando Casimiro said in a television interview.
“Definitely, there will be legal issues to be faced by the school officials, and along those who are supposed to be held liable,” he added.
Casimiro said that a total of 717 students from nursery to Grade 12 and 652 from college including 172 graduating students were affected by the sudden closure of the institution.
The Department of Education (DepEd) will also conduct a probe on how and why the school made such a sudden shut down.
The CDSL cited financial instability and lack of financial viability, which triggered the Board of Trustees to make such a decision.
They vowed to give full refunds of fees paid by the parents.
The DepEd, as well as the Quezon City local government, has vowed to assist the students affected by the closure.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said aside from finding schools that would be willing to accept the CDSL students, they will also assist teachers and non-teaching staff and endorse them to the City’s Public Employment Service Office for possible financial assistance or potential employment.
"Four schools that have gotten in touch with the Quezon City Government pagkatapos ko manawagan ng tulong sa mga paaralan (after I reached out to schoold for help)... were Trinity College, UST (University of Sto. Tomas) Angelicum, Apec Schools V. Luna and Thames International School," Belmonte said.
The four schools vowed to make the transfers seamless and that they will be more lenient in terms of payment. (SunStar Philippines)