Enrollment for SY 2021-2022 reaches 26,308,875–Deped
THE Department of Education (Deped) reported on Wednesday that enrollment has reached 26,308,875 for school year (SY) 2021-2022, which, data showed, is 100.3 percent of over last year’s 22,587,496.
Data also showed that 11 out of 17 regions in the country have achieved a more than 100-percent enrollment rate, indicating that learners who did not enroll last year are returning in the basic education system.
The Deped is still expecting the figure to increase since enrollment was extended until September 30.
“We thank our field offices, school heads, and teachers for their dedication and hard work in encouraging the public to enroll. Likewise, we are grateful to the parents of our learners who continue to put their trust and support in Deped and for learning continuity amidst the pandemic,” the Deped said.
Renewed optimism
ON Monday, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones officially welcomed SY 2021-2022 with renewed optimism for basic education as around 24.6 million learners attended the first day of classes nationwide.
“Even in the time of cholera or Covid-19, with all its horrors and terrors, there is love. Even in the time of evil, there is always hope. Even in the time of the Delta variant, there is love. And there is education,” Briones said before declaring SY 2021-2022 open.
Briones shared that the Deped has strived to deliver its mandate of providing education for learners and ensuring the welfare of teachers amid the pandemic, citing the implementation of the Basic Education-learning Continuity Plan and the increase of salaries and benefits of personnel.
“We did what was considered impossible in five months. We translated printed material into TV, radio, cell phone, tablet; and yes, utilized walkie-talkies for remote schools,” the education chief said.
President Duterte also delivered his message to Deped and Filipino educators during the virtual program watched by more than 300,000 live viewers.
“This event showed Deped’s strong commitment to provide the best quality education for our students despite the challenges of the pandemic,” Duterte said.
“To our teachers, we hope you will remain dedicated to your sworn profession and lead more of our young citizens towards a better and brighter future,” he added.
Based on the September 15 Learner Information System report, around 20,029,767 learners are enrolled in public schools, while 1,668,489 students are registered in private schools. Alternative Learning System (ALS) has 199,422 enrollees.
“The challenges we are facing now are even tougher than those we battled last year,” Briones said adding, that they expect even more to enlist for late enrollment.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan thanked teachers and school leaders for the encouraging enrollment turnout rate for the new school year.
“The enrollment report is still on a steady upward trend. Taking into consideration the reporting lag and several regions already surpassing 100 percent of last year’s enrollment, there is indication not only of our learners from last year continuing this year, but also that some of our learners who opted to skip last SY are coming back,” Malaluan said.