In a bid to ease the burden on families, the Department of Education (DepEd) has streamlined enrollment requirements for public schools nationwide, reducing costs and paperwork.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced that starting this school year, parents or guardians only need to submit their child’s birth certificate once for the entire K-12 education, instead of every time a student moves or enrolls in a new school.

“We’ve heard from parents that enrollment problems often come from documentary requirements—especially when records are lost, delayed, or need to be reprocessed,” he said. 

“This change saves families time and money. More importantly, it helps ensure that no child misses the first day of school just because of paperwork,” he added. 

Under the new guidelines, learners enrolling for the first time must submit the original or a certified true copy of their PSA or NSO-issued birth certificate. If it is not available at the time of enrollment, parents may submit alternative documents until October 31, with the birth certificate to follow once available.

DepEd said it will accept a range of secondary documents, including National ID, any primary government-issued ID, Certificate of Live Birth, Marriage Certificate, PhilHealth ID, PWD ID, Barangay Certification, Affidavit of Undertaking signed by the parent or guardian, NSO/PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling, and Baptismal Certificate.

Also, DepEd said it made special provisions for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and residents of rehabilitation facilities who are enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). 

They may submit any certificate or proof of identity to their ALS teacher, it added.

Enrollment can be done in person or remotely. For in-person registration, parents must submit the Basic Education Enrollment Form (BEEF) and required documents at the school. 

The agency noted that learners of legal age may enroll themselves, while minors must have the form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Remote enrollment is also allowed via email, school messaging platforms, or drop boxes located at schools, barangay halls, or other designated areas. 

Both digital and printed copies of the BEEF are available on DepEd’s official website, the LIS support page, schools, barangays, and other distribution points.

The education department reminded school officials that learner’s records must be transferred directly between schools, and that no voluntary contributions shall be collected during early registration and enrollment.

Late enrollees will be accepted as long as they meet at least 80 percent of the total school days and pass quarterly requirements. Otherwise, the school head may decide to admit the learner and provide catch-up interventions.

With these reforms, DepEd expects a smoother and higher turnout for enrollment during the nationwide registration from June 9 to 13.

Classes for School Year (SY) 2025-2026 will begin on June 16.