PR in the Philippines

THE Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City announced Monday, August 15, 2022, that it is permanently closing the educational institution due to “financial instability and lack of financial viability.”In a Facebook post Monday, Colegio de San Lorenzo, which had been operating for three decades, said their financial instability was brought about by the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the “exacerbated by consistent low enrollment turnover over the past years.”Its Board of Trustees appealed for understanding from its students who have enrolled for the school year 2022-2023, saying it would be difficult for the institution to continue operating due to the low turnout of enrollees this year.

Colegio De San Lorenzo Official Statement
Posted by Colegio De San Lorenzo – College Department on Monday, August 15, 2022

Colegio de San Lorenzo vowed to initiate full refunds of fees paid the students, which include tuition, uniform expenses, and book expenses. It also said that it will assist all the students for their transfer to other schools by timely releasing their record and credentials.“For those enrolled in our college department, to ensure a better transition to another higher educational institution, we are also coordinating with a university of the same caliber for the possibility of transferring students who are willing to continue their education therein,” it said in a statement.The college said the processing and claiming of refund, as well as the release of transfer credentials will be done between August 16 and September 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The announcement Monday prompted parents and students to hold a general assembly at the school’s gym to settle the issues.In an interview with Unang Balita of GMA, Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Michael Poa said the agency would help the displaced students find new schools considering that the school 2022-2023 will already start on August 22.Poa said the Colegio de San Lorenzo did not ask DepEd for permission about its intent to close.“Sa ganyang paraan muna natin susubukan tulungan ang mga learners. Maghahanap tayo ng mga schools that can help absorb the students kasi nga ilang araw na lang po ay pasukan na,” Poa said.(We will first try to help the students find schools that will absorb them because the classes will start days from now.) (LMY)