Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing for the remote conduct of the Early Registration for School Year (SY) 2021-2022.

The Early Registration for the upcoming school year will be conducted from March 26 to April 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, DepEd reminded schools and the public to still follow precautionary measures against COVID-19 transmission for the early registration activity.

“In the context of the prevailing COVID-19 public health emergency, the conduct of early registration shall be done remotely in areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ),” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Briones added that in-person registration - through parents or guardians - may be allowed in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) “provided physical distancing and health and safety protocols are strictly observed.”

For SY 2020-2021, DepEd adopted remote enrollment for the first time to ensure the safety of learners, parents, and teachers.

In the first two weeks of June 2020, remote enrollment was implemented through alternative means of communication that do not require physically reporting to school, such as text, call, email, and online messaging.

On the third week, physical enrollment was allowed in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and physical enrollment platforms established by the schools.

Drop boxes and kiosks in barangay halls and schools were put up so parents who do not have access to remote means of communication may pick up or drop off the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (LESF).

“In previous years, regional and school division offices organized teams that will lead the advocacy campaigns,” DepEd said. “Schools designated early registration desks in the school premises manned by individuals tasked to handle the registration,” it added.

DepEd noted that schools undertook various activities - such as house-to-house campaigns, dissemination of print materials, social media information campaigns, and engagement with parents, barangay officials, civic and people’s organizations, and other stakeholders - to ensure that school-aged children will participate in the Early Registration.

The Early Registration aims to ensure that all incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 in public elementary and secondary schools are pre-registered to allow the DepEd to make necessary preparations and incoming plans for the coming school year.