Upcoming enrollees hit over 9.1M before weekend: DepEd

FILE: Elementary teacher Cristina Dimasayao (right) checks the attendance of selected Grade 5 students during the remedial and enhancement class at San Miguel Elementary School, Congressional Avenue, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday (July 21, 2022). (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday that enrollment nationwide has gone up to 9,192,331.

In a the DepEd’s latest data indicated the highest turnout so far from the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) Region.

“Pinakamarami na ang nakapagpatala sa Region IV-A na umabot sa 1,596,668 na sinusundan ng NCR [National Capital Region] (1,389,331), at Region III (963,494),” the DepEd said.

(Region IV-A recorded the most number of enrollees with 1,596,668; followed by the NCR [1,389,331], then Region III [963,494].)

Of this figure, enrollment reports showed some 608,114 registered for kindergarten; 4,279,600 for the primary level; 2,965,068 for junior high school; and 1,339,519 for senior high school.

The DepEd has currently three ways including in-person, remote, and drop-box enrollment.

The high turnout was also recorded during the first day with over 3 million learners enrolled.

DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa earlier urged the private sector to take part in intensifying the preparation for the upcoming school year, considering the number of students registering.

“Sana po tuluy-tuloy ito at makamit natin ‘yung assumption natin na 28.6 million for this upcoming school year. So syempre po, since nandiyan na tayo sa enrollment, kailangan din nating paghandaan ang pagbabalik-eskwela mismo so kailangan handa ‘yung mga paaralan, that’s why on August 1, ila-launch po namin ‘yung Brigada Eskwela this year, inaanyayahan namin na mag-participate ang mga private sector organization at tulungan po kami dito sa paghahanda sa ating mga paaralan,” he said in a press briefing.

(We hope this would continue so we could reach our assumption of 28.6-million (learners). And of course, since we’re here on the enrollment, we also need to prepare for the school reopening, that’s why on August 1, we will launch Brigada Eskwela, we’re inviting our private sector organization to help us prepare our schools.)

Likewise, Poa said part of the effective preparation is the continuous promotion of vaccination and booster shots for learners against the coronavirus disease 2019.

He said the DepEd has ordered all regional offices to make counseling available for learners, teaching, and non-teaching personnel.

Once counseling is successful, mobile vaccinations will be also made available to schools, to ensure the safe reopening of classes.