DISTANCE LEARNING Grade 10 student Jason Solis with his cousin John Matthew, an incoming 8 grade student attend orientation on the first day of class via online in their home in Bgy. Poblacion, Makati City in March 2021. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Over 17.9 million students are currently enrolled for the school year 2021 to 2022, which classes are set to open on Sept. 13, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.
DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the total number comprises 68.5% of the total of enrollees in the previous school year, which was at 26.2 million.
The education department is aiming to surpass or, at least, match the number of enrollees from last year, therefore it is allowing parents to enroll their children until Sept. 13.
“Hinihikayat namin ang mga magulang na huwag na maghintay ng last day of enrollment,” Malaluan said in a televised public briefing.
(We are encouraging parents not to wait until the last day of enrollment to enroll their children.)
Malaluan assured that the DepEd is ready for the opening of classes on Sept. 13.
“Hinihkayat namin ang enrollees last year to continue this school year at saka ‘yung mga nagpaliban, or nag-skip last year ay sana bumalik this school year,” he said.
(We are encouraging those who enrolled last year to continue their schooling and we are calling those who skipped school last year to resume this year.)
At present, in-person classes are not yet allowed due to the alarming rise of COVID-19 infections.
However, should face-to-face classes be allowed, these would focus on kindergarten to Grade 3 and only a limited number of students would be allowed in the classrooms to ensure physical distancing.
The classes would also only last for three hours and the school sessions would be mainly reinforcing activities. Education would still be predominantly distance learning, Malaluan added.
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