ILOILO City – Angelicum School Iloilo is not closing after all.
The Board of Trustees of Angelicum overruled the announced cessation of the school’s operation.
In a “Corrective Statement” issued yesterday, the Board clarified that it and the Provincial Council of the Dominican Province of the Philippines “didn’t approve any cessation of operation.”
The Dominicans, a religious order, operates Angelicum, a Catholic private school here offering preschool, elementary and high school education.
The Board also announced it had accepted the resignation of Angelicum school administrator Father Maximo Gatela.
Gatela issued a statement on Wednesday night announcing that Angelicum would cease operating by July 1, 2020.
Friday morning, the Board issued what it called a “corrective statement.” Part of it read: “This is to inform the public that the Board of the Trustees of Angelicum School, Inc., Jaro, Iloilo City hereby overrules and recalls the announcement of the ‘Notice of ASIL’s Cessation of Operation’ as issued by her Director last May 27, 2020.”
The corrective statement was signed by Father Napoleon Sipalay Jr., prior provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines (DPP) and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Angelicum School.
In announcing Angelicum’s cessation of operation on Wednesday night, Gatela cited the difficulty that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created.
“The experience of the 4th Grading Period was difficult for all of us. The sad part was that (Angelicum) was not ready and failed miserably in delivering the services,” read part of Gatela’s statement.
As the situation of uncertainty continued, according to Gatela, “we cannot prolong the 4th Grading experience throughout the whole school year nor keep you hanging in the air.”
Opened in 1978 with 70-plus students and four teaching staff, Angelicum School Iloilo pioneered the non-graded, open-classroom education system in the Philippines.
It is also known for the Lizares Mansion in its compound, a former heritage house and one of Iloilo City’s imposing landmarks.
Gatela’s announcement of Angelicum’s closure alarmed Mayor Jerry Treñas. He expressed fear that more private schools here could shut down, thereby adversely affecting the education of students and economically displacing private school teachers./PN