MANILA, Philippines – The first day of school at Colegio de San Lorenzo turned into a nightmare for students after CDSL suddenly announced its permanent closure due to “financial instability” and the “low turnout of enrollees” for school year 2022-2023.

Students and parents only learned about the school’s permanent closure when it was announced during a general assembly on Monday, August 15. This sparked outrage among parents and youth groups as CDSL students need to find another school in a hurry.

In the wake of CDSL’s closure, the following schools have offered to take in their students, as of Tuesday, August 23.

College of St. Catherine Quezon City

The College of St. Catherine Quezon City is accepting enrollees from all levels for school year 2022-2023. CDSL students are also not required to take an entrance examination test.

Villagers Montessori College

Villagers Montessori College said on Monday, August 15, that VMC will “offer assistance” to CDSL students.

“We express our sadness to this sudden decision. We know how heavy this may be to the owners, administrators, employees, and students,” school officials said in a statement. “We are willing to accommodate and offer our help, in any way we can.”

Enrollment is still open at VMC for school year 2022-2023. Those interested may sign up here:

• PRE-SCHOOL: https://form.jotform.com/220721792699467
• ELEMENTARY: https://form.jotform.com/220720945644456
• JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL: https://form.jotform.com/220710484241446
• SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: https://form.jotform.com/onlineenrollement/online-enrollment-for-senior-high-s
• COLLEGE: https://form.jotform.com/220700350624038

Acelina School, Inc.

Acelina School, Incorporated said in a statement on Tuesday, August 16, that ASI welcomes CDSL students following their school’s sudden closure.

“During these times when education and its stakeholders are extremely challenged, the closure of one educational institution serves as an impending threat to the continuity and recovery of learning and the whole educational system,” ASI said.

“Our institution, in solidarity with the CDSL Community, intends to offer the affected learners and their parents not an alternative but a refuge in the pursuit of quality basic education amidst the development,” it added.

Those who are interested may contact ASI at (02) 79496853, 09088622128, or 09776725246. They may also visit their campus at NAPOCOR Village, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Thames International

“We are extending our assistance for those who are in SHS and College with partial scholarships and financial assistance for a seamless transfer,” Thames International said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “This hopefully ensures education continues for the students.”

NU Nazareth School

The National University Nazareth School has formed a team to ensure the “smooth transfer” of CDSL students to their new school.

Check NU Nazareth’s post to see what they are offering CDSL students who plan to enroll in the school.

UST Angelicum College

The University of Santo Tomas Angelicum College has also opened its doors to CDSL students from preschool to college.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 17, the school provided details of the assistance they are ready to provide CDSL students.

PWU JASMS QC

The Philippine Women’s University Jose Abad Santos Memorial School in Quezon City said on Wednesday, August 17, that they would offer their doors to CDSL students.

“We will open our doors to the families of the students who need a second home where they can open a new chapter with the PWU-JASMS family,” the school said.

Those interested may contact the school at 89206316 or 89269566. They may also send an email to jasmsqc@pwu.edu.ph.

University of the East

The University of the East (UE) campuses in Manila and Caloocan are opening their doors to displaced CDSL students, from elementary to college.

Check UE’s post for other details.

Kinder to Grade 10 applicants may email the Principal’s Office at basiced.mla@ue.edu.ph for the Manila campus and basiced.cal@ue.edu.ph for the Caloocan campus.

Interested college undergraduate and SHS applicants may apply at https://www.ue.edu.ph/onlineadmission/main.html.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos

The San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila is also accepting CDSL students from grade school to high school.

The school provided details in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 18.

Informatics Philippines

Informatics Philippines said it is ready to take in CDSL students for full online or blended learning

See the full details in the post below.

Interested students may contact 09095579605 or 09178358330. They may also send an email at sales@informatics.com.ph.

World Citi Colleges Quezon City

World Citi Colleges Quezon City said it is accepting enrollees from CDSL for school year 2022-2023. Enrollees will not be required to take an entrance exam.

Saint Patrick School 

Saint Patrick School of Quezon City welcomes CDSL students from preschool to senior high school until August 31. It will also schedule a special enrollment day on Saturday, August 20, from 8 am to 5 pm.

The school will also accommodate online enrollment.

“The entire Patrician community expresses its sadness over the inconveniences that the school and students affected have gone and continue to go through,” the school said.

Malate Catholic School

Malate Catholic School in Manila is offering assistance to displaced CDSL students from kinder to senior high school.

More details can be found in the post below. Interested students may enroll through https://bit.ly/mcsregularenrollment.

NBS College

NBS College is opening its doors to CDSL students affected by the school’s sudden closure.

Check out NBS College’s post to see what courses and assistance it is offering to interested CDSL students.

“NBS College sympathizes with the plight of the entire Colegio de San Lorenzo community and is one with the faculty, students, and parents affected by this,” it said in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 18. “We sincerely hope that this will ease the current challenges.”

Central Colleges of the Philippines

The Central Colleges of the Philippines is offering a “smooth enrollment process” for displaced CDSL students, welcoming walk-in and online enrollees.

“We’d like to reassure CDSL students that Central Colleges will wholeheartedly accept enrollees and transferees with their credentials taken into account, grades credited accordingly,” CCP said.

“We believe that the dreams of the students and their parents need not suffer from this sudden closure,” it added.

See full details in the post below.

Centro Escolar University

The Centro Escolar University is welcoming displaced CDSL students who are incoming first to third year college students.

See more details in the post below.

For more inquiries, you may email rcaguilar@ceu.edu.ph or call 8735-6861 to 71 loc. 245

FEU Roosevelt

The Far Eastern University Roosevelt welcomes transferees from CDSL from kinder to college in their campuses in Marikina, and in Cainta and Rodriguez, Rizal.

Interested enrollees may refer to the details in the post below.

Quezon City University

“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,” said QCU president Dr. Theresita Atienza, as quoted in a statement issued by the Quezon City government on Tuesday, August 16.

Quezon City University is ready to accept CDSL students – especially those who are graduating – in its three branches, according to the Quezon City government.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte had instructed City Attorney Orlando Paolo Casimiro to look into how the city government can help those affected by the CDSL’s sudden closure.

Displaced teachers and non-teaching personnel will be endorsed for possible financial assistance or employment, the city government said.

“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,” Belmonte said.

“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 care of,” she added.

Other schools 

CDSL’s board of trustees said in a statement on Wednesday, August 17, that more schools expressed willingness to take in their displaced students. 

They are the following:

• AMA University
• Samson College of Science and Technology
• St. Joseph College
• St. Bernadette of Lourdes College
• De La Salle Araneta University
• Trinity College of Asia 
• Sienna College
• OLFU Valenzuela
• Manuel L. Quezon University
• STI-Muñoz
• Philippine College of Criminology

“For college students, there are now booths of the schools wherein the students may inquire as to possible enrollment therein when they claim their full refund and transfer credentials, which has been scheduled from 16 August to 19 September 2022,” CDSL said. – Rappler.com