DepEd sets filing deadline for notices of school closures

MANILA, Philippines — Private schools that suspended operations this school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic only have until Tuesday to file their respective notices of temporary closure, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Those who fail to do so shall be presumed to be permanently closed and would lose their government recognition or permit to operate for succeeding school years, DepEd said in a department order.

The notice of temporary closure, which would indicate that the school intends to reopen next school year, must be submitted to the DepEd regional office supervising its area.

It must include the reason for the one-year suspension, as well as any evidence that the parents and students were properly informed of the temporary closure and that actions or arrangements were taken to assist students and personnel affected by the decision.

DepEd earlier allowed private schools to temporarily suspend operations this school year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Enrollment data showed that only around 2.1 million students enrolled in private schools this year, around half of the student population last year.

An earlier report released by DepEd showed that 865 private elementary and high schools have decided not to reopen this year primarily due to low enrollment and other impacts of the pandemic. The closure has affected over 4,400 teachers and 58,000 students, mostly in the elementary level.

In its latest order, DepEd said private schools that will be subject to temporary closure shall have their permit to operate automatically renewed for the next school year. They would also not lose their government recognition provided they will resume operations next year.

DepEd said those that will reopen next year must also submit a letter before March 31 to signify their intent to resume operations.

“For private schools with a permit to operate, such communication will trigger the issuance by the regional office of a renewed permit to operate,” read the policy.

The agency said private schools that continued to operate this school year using alternative delivery modes shall remain eligible for government assistance and subsidy programs.

Student beneficiaries who dropped out this school year may be reinstated to subsidy programs such as the senior high school voucher system provided that they re-enroll in a participating school next school year.