The Department of Education (DepEd) is enjoining learners who were not able to attend school last year to come back to school and enroll this School Year (SY) 2021-2022.

“As we continuously prepare for a smooth opening of classes, we are urging parents and learners to communicate with their respective schools for the enrollment procedures,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement issued Wednesday, Aug. 25.

“I also call those who did not enroll last school year to register now,” she added.

Weeks before the formal school opening set on Sept. 13, DepEd enrollment data from its “Quick Count” showed that there are 8,557,205 enrollees at the formal basic education so far.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/25/8-5m-learners-have-enrolled-for-sy-2021-2022-says-deped/

The enrollment data covered public and private schools as well as State Universities and Colleges / Local Universities and Colleges (SUCs/LUCs) that offer basic education.

Pre-pandemic data from DepEd showed that there were 27.7 million enrollees in SY 2019-2020.

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country, there was a slight decrease in the enrollment for SY 2020-2021 at 26.6 million.

While the current enrollment figures may seem far from the actual enrollment last school year, DepEd expressed optimism that this will increase in the coming days --- especially when the reports from the field offices have been completed.

Briones also noted that there is “considerable lag” in reporting of enrollment data since some schools collate first the enrollment forms --- particularly those through drop-box --- before reporting.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/19/its-still-too-early-deped-cautions-against-conclusions-on-enrollment/

As cited in DepEd Order 032 s. of 2021, the department asked schools to provide a “range of options” to facilitate the enrollment of learners in all public schools in basic education nationwide --- including the Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs.

“To optimize the process and ensure the protection of health and safety of our education stakeholders, schools may facilitate dropbox enrollment through setting up booths and kiosk in front of the school, barangay hall, and other visible locations that are accessible to parents and guardians, subject to health and safety standards imposed by the IATF ,” Briones explained.

The enrollment period started on Aug. 16 and will run until Sept. 13.

For incoming Grades 1-6, 8-10, and 12 learners, DepEd said that schools will contact their parents through their previous class advisers.

Meanwhile, parents of incoming kindergarten, Grades 7 and 11 learners are expected to 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.

For transferees, Balik-Aral, and ALS enrollees, DepEd said that they “must directly contact their preferred school through its published enrollment contact details.”

DepEd has also deferred the submission of documentary requirements for public and private schools to December 31, 2021.

“As such, schools shall not compel learners and their parents or guardians to take responsibility for the transmission of school records,” it added.

During the virtual press conference for the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” on Aug. 24, Briones emphasized that the state of enrollment is directly related to the state of the country’s economy.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/24/deped-hopes-to-match-the-same-enrollment-as-last-year-but/

Briones noted that the decrease in enrollment was observed in private schools as learners and even teachers migrate to public schools. Despite this, DepEd continues to look forward to an increase in enrollment especially in the private sector.

“Education is a shared responsibility,” Briones said. “We seek your help in our campaign for our learners to go back to schools,” she added.