QC to help students, parents affected by CDSL closure
THE Quezon City (QC) government will extend all possible assistance to the students, parents, and employees of the Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL), which announced on Monday its permanent closure.
Mayor Joy Belmonte has directed City Legal Officer Orlando Paolo Casimiro to immediately look into how the city government can help those affected and ensure as well that the school takes responsibility for all the inconveniences suffered by its stakeholders.
The school management cited “financial instability and lack of financial viability brought about by the ongoing pandemic and exacerbated by consistent low enrollment turnout” as the reason for the closure.
“We will extend all possible assistance to the students and parents, especially since the school year has started. We shall help in coordinating with other schools, colleges, and universities where affected students can transfer with their credentials credited. We need to ensure that no student will encounter any delay in their studies, especially the graduating or senior ones, and that their refund will be given quickly. The teaching and administrative personnel should also be taken cared of,” Belmonte said.
Acting on the mayor’s directive, Casimiro met yesterday morning with the school representatives, who committed full compliance to the needs of its students and teachers.
“The officials of Colegio de San Lorenzo have expressed their full cooperation in refunding tuition and other expenses such as books and uniforms; endorsing students to other schools and universities; and releasing the salaries and incentives of its teaching and non-teaching staff,” Casimiro said.
Belmonte, meanwhile, added that several schools have expressed their willingness to accommodate the students.
The QC University is also open to accepting interested students in its three branches, especially graduating students.
“The QCU will welcome the college students of CDSL, and we will help in crediting their classes and helping them have a smooth transition to our university,” QCU President Dr. Theresita Atienza said.
Meanwhile, teachers and non-teaching personnel will be endorsed to the QC Public Employment Service Office (PESO) for possible financial assistance or prospective employment.
Representatives of CDSL shared that they are currently releasing the student transcripts and documents for transfer. Students with outstanding fees are also no longer required to pay said delinquencies.
