By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday announced that a “drop box” system of enrollment will be conducted to cater to those who may not have access to remote or online enrollment currently undertaken by schools to prepare for the incoming school year.
Issuing a statement, DepEd said that as it continues to conduct remote enrollment, it will also open the drop box system of enrollment to be ready starting Tuesday, June 16. “These dropbox/kiosks, which could be found in barangay halls or schools, will be set-up only for picking up and dropping-off the Learner Enrollment Survey Form (LESF),” DepEd said.
Since June 1, DepEd has implemented remote enrollment through alternative means of communication that do not require physically reporting to school, such as text, call, email, and online messaging.
In its enrollment guidelines issued earlier, DepEd said that there will be no face-to-face enrollment in the first two weeks of registration period. Unless otherwise necessary, DepEd said that “any form of physical submission of enrollment data shall only be done on the third week of enrollment period” in coordination with the local government units (LGUs).
DepEd noted that drop box kiosks will only “cater to those parents who do not have access to remote means (text, call, online and social media) to communicate with their schools but wish to enroll their child.”
In implementing the “drop box” enrollment system, DepEd also issued general instructions to parents before heading to the drop box kiosks. Specifically, DepEd noted that “only one adult from a household with quarantine pass will be allowed to go to these kiosks.”
Parents and guardians needing assistance are advised by DepEd to “ask their respective barangay leadership in this transaction” - adding that they “must be familiar with the advisory of the school or barangay on designated pick up and submission points before going out.”
DepEd said that it has also set out instructions to its regional offices in order to manage a safe and smooth enrollment process. “In this regard, we have received updates from our Regional Directors on various feasible arrangements, which they have been preparing for and coordinating with local officials since the start of enrollment,” the agency said.
Meanwhile, DepEd also also instructed schools to coordinate with barangay officials in the distribution and retrieval of LESFs. “To ensure that minimum health standards are met, markings and signage will be in place to ensure proper social distancing while teachers and personnel stationed at the enrollment kiosks will be provided with face masks and disinfectants during the course of the enrollment process,” DepEd said.
DepEd said that the enrollment is “crucial” to its preparation for school year (SY) 2020-2021. The result of the enrollment, DepEd explained, will validate the data of the Early Registration done in February and “if learners in other grade levels will continue to avail of the education services” of the department.
Those who have queries and clarifications regarding the enrolment and other initiatives of the DepEd for the upcoming school year may send email to [email protected].