10 private schools in Iloilo shuttered amid financial woes

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines — Ten private schools in Iloilo province have ceased operations due to low enrollment and financial problems, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Maria Luz delos Reyes, Iloilo schools division superintendent, on Monday said eight private schools informed her office of their decision prior to the start of the school year 2022-2023.

These were Saint Louis de Montfort Academy in Dumangas town, Zid’s World Christian Learning Center in Guimbal town, Leveling-Up Brilliant Academy in Leganes town, Speed Headstart School in Oton town, Mother Nature Child Development Learning Center in Pavia town, Asia Pacific Institute International in San Miguel town, L’ecole Montessori of Don Bosco in Tigbauan town and Brentfield Learning Center in Zarraga town.

On Tuesday, Hernani Escullar Jr., DepEd regional spokesperson, said two other schools—Miagao Rose of Sharon Christian Learning Center in Miagao town and Georgia International Academy in Oton—also decided to stop operations.

Permanent closure

Of the 10 schools, Speed Headstart School, Mother Nature Child Development Learning Center and Georgia International Academy decided to permanently stop operations.

Escullar said financial losses, low enrollment, lack of funds, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had forced owners of these schools to decide to stop operations,

“There were enrollees but these were not sufficient to sustain the operations of these schools,” Escullar said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

Records from the DepEd showed that a total of 74 private schools in Western Visayas had closed down amid the pandemic.

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