(FILE) A mother submits an enrollment form for her child at Juan Sumulong Elementary School in Antipolo City on Wednesday. A new school year starts in the public education system on Sept. 13, 2021, but distance learning will likely remain the norm as the pandemic rages on and with vaccination numbers in the country still way below target. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — Enrollees for schoolyear 2021-2022 crossed the 21 million mark on Thursday, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported.
A total of 21,034,472 students have registered. The figure is 80.2 percent of last school year’s 26,227,022 registrants.
The Department of Education’s enrollment figure and enrollment trend for School Year 2021-2022 as of Thursday, 2 a.m.
Of the total, 15,320,766 were listed in public schools, 1,132,632 in private schools, and 23,747 in state or local universities and colleges. Meanwhile, early registrants stood at 4,557,327, based on DepEd’s enrollment count.
The most number of learners who have registered for the school year was recorded in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) at 2,905,646. It is followed by Central Luzon and Metro Manila with 2,167,516 and 1,993,601, respectively.
Data showed that in contrast, the Cordillera Administrative Region has the lowest number of learners enrolled at 398,921. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) come next with 667,704 and 735,436, respectively.
Meanwhile, 184,382 have logged under the alternative learning system. The number is 30.76 percent of last year’s 599,365 registrants, based on a separate record.
School Year 2021-2022 will open on September 13, also the last day of enrollment.
Students will remain under blended learning as COVID-19 cases continue to soar.
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