Only the University of San Carlos met the 15-day deadline of the three schools earlier directed by the Cebu City government to comply with fire safety standards.
The two other schools - Cebu Normal University and the Regino Mercado high school and elementary school - failed to meet the 15-day deadline, said Councilor Gerardo Carillo, head of the city’s government’s Oplan Balik Eskwela.
The notices to comply with fire safety standards were sent to the three schools early last month but only USC reportedly sent the city a schedule of compliance, Carillo said.
The city’s Building Code allows two more chances for establishments to comply with the notice before their permit to operate can be recommended for cancellation. Carillo said a second set of notices would be sent to CNU and the Regino Mercado school.
But Carillo clarified that while the city cannot close a public school such as Regino Mercado, the compliance to the notice, which should include a plan for engineering works, is necessary for the local school board to take action.
It is the local school board that would recommend the budget for the repair of the dilapidated building that the inspection team discovered in Regino Mercado school.
Next week, two private schools and two public schools would be inspected by the Oplan Balik Eskwela.
During inspection, the team noted that USC and CNU have defective fire safety facilities. In USC, for instance, a fire hose would be impossible to use because it lacks a nozzle, a projecting spout or pipe where the water is being discharged.
The team also noted that students would have to climb up an elevation to be able to reach the fire exit and that a stair is obstructing the hallway that leads to the fire exit.
In CNU, meanwhile, the team noted that the university’s sprinklers do not function. Its fire extinguishers are expired and its fire alarm does not sound.
The Oplan Balik Eskwela is also looking into reports of alleged charging of unreasonable fees by some schools.
Carillo, also the chairman of the City Council committee on social services, had said he will not hesitate to recommend the cancellation of the school’s business permit if the allegation is proven.
Reports had it that some schools have increased their tuition fees even without prior consultation with the students, in violation of a city ordinance, which makes consultation a requisite to tuition fee increases.
Carillo said some fees have also been reportedly imposed even if they are not reflective of the actual needs of the student. These fees are reportedly placed under “other fees” but are not itemized during enrollment.
The monitoring team has even designated a hotline – 2563019 - that students can call to register their complaints.
The inspection commenced at the second day of classes last month and was led by the city’s fire bureau and the National Disaster Coordinating Council. – Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM