DAVAO CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI “disallowed” the operation of 25 schools this school year 2015-2016 due to alleged failure to renew government permit to operate.
The closed schools include the community schools of Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. Academy in Kapalong and the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Learning Center Inc in Talaingod, both in Davao del Norte province.
“There is no truth about the allegations that they are being closed. We did not close any schools; they are just simply disallowed to operate for 2015-2016 school year because of that failure,” said DepEd XI Information Officer Jenielito Atillo in a PIA dispatch on Tuesday.
He cited Batas Pambansa 2032 and Manual of Regulations of 2010, which stated that no private school should operate without government authority provided to them by the DepEd for basic education (kindergarten to highschool) or the Commission on High Education for tertiary education.
“They could still operate on 2016 and beyond provided they pass the requirements, which will then be perused,” Atillo said.
Atillo said they will continue to provide education to the affected children of the closed schools.
He said that they will implement any of the following systems including the integrated school system, multi-grade system or combination classes.
He said their target is for classes to start by July 1. Atillo said they will just extend the classes to cover 201 school days mandated by DepEd.