As the country prepares for the opening of a new school year amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) urged parents and guardians participate in the remote enrollment process to ensure everyone’s safety.
“As we start our enrollment for School Year 2021-2022, I remind all our parents to keep their safety in mind and use the various means available to ensure that this enrollment goes smoothly,” DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla said in a Viber message sent to Manila Bulletin on Monday, Aug. 16.
The DepEd officially opened the regular enrollment for public schools on Monday. Due to the ongoing health situation, the agency directed school officials and teachers to implement a remote enrollment system.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/16/remote-enrollment-in-public-schools-starts-on-aug-16-deped/
As stated in DepEd Order No. 32 s. of 2021 or the “Guidelines On Enrollment for School Year 2021-2022 in the Context of the Continuing National Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19,” the agency noted that enrollment for SY 2021-2022 shall primarily be “administered remotely” particularly in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) to adhere to strict physical distancing measures.
For parents who may not have access to remote means, DepEd said that they be allowed to “physically submit” the Modified Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (MLESF) in school.
DepEd said schools may facilitate dropbox enrollment method similarly to last school year.
However, DepEd reminded these schools should be located in lower risk areas and the activity will be subject to “strict observance of existing health protocols.”
The agency added that the teachers and non-teaching personnel of schools who will be assigned to manage the enrollment should “preferably vaccinated.”
Parents of incoming Grades 1-6, 8-10, and 12 learners, will be contacted by the school preferably through previous advisers for remote enrollment procedures. The parents or guardians are likewise encouraged to “reach out to their child’s adviser for enrollment” through the contact numbers published by the school.
DepEd said that parents of incoming kindergarten, Grades 7 and 11, may communicate or re-affirm their intent to enroll their children to a school of their choice via digital and/or physical enrollment platforms established by schools which is “similar to procedures in early registration” held in March.
Meanwhile, transferees were asked by DepEd to “directly contact” the receiving school through its published enrollment contact details. DepEd reminded that the previous adviser is “no longer required to facilitate submission” of MLESF of learner that is about to transfer to another school.
DepEd said that “Balik-Aral” enrollees may directly contact their preferred schools.
Learners under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) were also directed to communicate their intent to enroll via digital and/or physical enrollment platforms established by schools and barangays with community learning centers (CLCs).
“As we strive to continue education in this pandemic, we urge everyone to work together and build on our experience from this past school year to strengthen our blended learning approach,” Sevilla said.
The enrollment period will be until Sept. 13 --- the school opening date approved by President Duterte.
Early this month, DepEd said said that the SY 2021-2022 will still feature a blended learning approach in the delivery of basic education amidst the pandemic.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/19/deped-on-sept-13-school-opening-its-still-blended-learning/
The agency maintained that conduct of face-to-face classes, whether in partial or full-scale, will “still not be allowed” unless permitted by the President.