BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) here recorded about 106,600 enrolled learners from both public and private schools as the classes for the school year 2026-2027 opened Monday.

Data from the quick count of the DepEd-Bacolod City Schools Division Office showed that as of past noon on June 8, the students include 91,959 in public schools and 14,714 in private schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

The number of enrollees was submitted by 202 schools, including 70 public schools and 132 private academic institutions.

Kindergarten to Grade 6 has 60,543 enrollees, Grade 7 to 10 (junior high school) has 32,549, and Grade 11 to 12 (senior high school) has 13,515.

DepEd-Bacolod spokesperson Education Program Specialist II RJ Paglomutan said that all 70 public schools and 84 out of 154 private schools have submitted the initial list of enrollees, showing a decrease in the enrollment this year, compared to last year's 114,000.

However, he noted that enrollment is still ongoing until next week.

“We don’t know how many will be added, but it was forecasted that enrollment will decrease after two years due to the pandemic," he said.

DepEd-Bacolod Education Program Supervisor Lila Arro said public schools will accept enrollees until June 12.

“We’re giving them extra time until Friday. What’s important is that all the learners can already attend school this week,” she said in an interview.

Meanwhile, the city government tracked down a junior high school student who posted false information on social media, stating that the opening of classes in Bacolod had been suspended.

Secretary to the Mayor Jose Marty Go said they located the Grade 7 male student through the assistance of DepEd.

In a statement, the city government said the boy, accompanied by his mother, was summoned to the principal’s office.

His mother said the boy's Facebook account was hacked, but the student will still be subjected to disciplinary action and counseling.

“The city government warns anyone who deliberately spreads fake news that they will be caught by the authorities and held accountable for their wrongdoing,” the statement added.

In another development, the city government started the distribution of free school supplies to at least three public elementary schools on Monday.

Mayor Greg Gasataya and other city officials led the turnover of the school items at A. L. Jayme Elementary School, Bata Elementary School-I, and Kabugwason Elementary School.

For the school year 2026-2027, an estimated 113,000 public school learners from Kindergarten to Grade 12 under the DepEd-Bacolod will receive basic school items.

Those in Kindergarten to Grades 6 are getting notebooks, writing pads, pencils, sharpeners, and a customized backpack, while students in Grades 7 to 12 are given a sling bag and a set of Physical Education uniforms.

“This is an investment in the future of the youth of Bacolod City. That’s why we are allocating enough resources to make it easier for students. So, there will be no reason for them not to stay in school,” Gasataya said. (With PNA)