AFTER 34 years, the Colegio de San Lorenzo will shut down because of financial problems and low enrollment.

“We earnestly hope for your understanding and cooperation as we formally end the three-decade-long education mission of our beloved institution. We wish our students and their parents, who have been part of the Colegio De San Lorenzo family, nothing but the best,” the school said.

It admitted that “financial instability and lack of financial viability” prompted the Board of Trustees to approve the closure of the school.

“While students have already enrolled for the upcoming school year 2022-2023, it would be difficult for [the] college to continue operating due to the low turnout of enrollees this year,” the college said in a statement on social media.

Several students aired their dismay, noting that the school has been a part of their lives.

“Nakakalungkot lang na nabalitaan ko ngayong araw na magsasara na ang SanLo. Oo, maraming mga tanong na dapat pang sagutin at mga laban na dapat pang ipaglaban – pero ngayon ay nais ko lang magpasalamat sa eskwelahang nagpakilala sakin sa larangang mamahalin at pagsisilbihan ko habang buhay,” Santino San Juan, a photojounalist who graduated from the school said.

While school fees have already been collected, the college said that it will reimburse the money and release documents from August 16 to September 1, 2022.

The Department of Education, however, said that it was not formally informed of the school’s closure.

“Upon verifying the matter with the Regional Director concerned, Colegio de San Lorenzo had no prior communication with DepEd re the closure,” DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said.

Poa said DepEd will issue an acknowledgement of closure once they are assured that the transfer credentials of the affected students are processed and released by the school.