SEVERAL private schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have filed for closure, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Aida Payang, DepEd-CAR chief of the Quality Assurance Division and in-charge of private schools, said the closure was on a voluntary basis and not related to economic complications brought about by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“They did not specifically say that it is because of Covid but rather, they would like to discontinue operating,” Payang said.
Marie Carolyn Verano, Baguio City Schools Division superintendent, said five schools in Baguio City have informed them of their intention to stop operation.
“In Baguio, as of June 18, we have five schools to cease operation with only one school affected by pandemic. And out of the five schools that are closing this school year, the reasons are students are going back to Korea, second is bankruptcy, third is they cannot afford the rental payment of the facility, and fourth is they also do not have the occupancy permit in the city,” Verano said.
Marlon Angaga of the Baguio City Association of Private School Administrators (BCAPSA) confirmed the closure of five schools, including one that also signified its intention to close for this school year.
“An additional school have signified its intention to cease operation this year have directly informed the DepEd-CAR so all in all, we have six schools,” Angaga said.
May Eclar, DepEd regional director, clarified the additional school in Baguio was not yet included in their records.
Aside from Baguio City, there are two private schools in Ifugao that also filed for closure.