The head of the education department’s Division of City Schools in Manila has called on parents to enroll their children in the early registration set in all of the city’s public elementary and secondary schools from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Ponciano Menguito said that the program was aimed at helping the Department of Education determine if there were enough resources for the coming school year, particularly the number of teachers and classrooms.
To qualify, prospective enrollees should present their birth certificates. Children born on or before Oct. 31, 2008, may register for the kindergarten level.
For those enrolling in the first grade, education officials will accept those born on or before Oct. 31, 2007, regardless of whether or not they have completed kindergarten.
Menguito also called on those who have dropped out of school to reenlist. Out-of-school children aged 6 to 11 can register for the elementary level while those aged 12 and above can qualify for high school.
Parents of children with special needs between the ages of 6 and 18 have also been encouraged to take advantage of the early registration.
There are 71 elementary and 32 secondary schools in Manila that offer free education, according to the mayor’s office.
Those who have inquiries can call the DepEd Manila office at 5275216.