Early public school enrolment on its 2nd year
AS PER Department of Education ( DepEd) Order No. 03 series of 2018 executed and signed by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones noting that “early registration” or the pre- registration of learners takes place prior to the opening of classes will roll again on its second year this coming January 26, 2019 to February 22, 2019 as it should from the last Saturday of January to the last Friday of February each year for incoming kinder and grades 1, 7, and 11.
The early enrolment in public schools nationwide covers incoming kindergarten, Grades 1, 7 and 11 learners since those in remaining grade levels are already considered pre-registered. According to Secretary Briones, incoming Grades 2-6, Grades 8-10 and Grade 12 are already considered pre-registered because they are those who underwent the early registration process bit are not considered officially enrolled.
This government policy which was implemented from last academic year 2018-2019 and which is named as the Basic Education Enrollment Policy was set to institutionalize an efficient enrollment process in public and private schools, and state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/ LUCs) offering basic education nationwide. As a reminder to parents and teachers, let it be clear that no fees shall be collected. The government emphasizes this in the policy that no fees shall be collected from schoolchildren during enrollment. Membership fee and contributions that are collected on a voluntary basis should be done after enrolment. Non-payment of voluntary contributions shall not prohibit enrollment of learners. More on to this, the policy also notes that the collection of authorized voluntary contribution should not be done during the schedule of release of financial assistance for Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) or the 4Ps
recipients. In no instance must the school collect contribution out of the 4Ps subsidy. Lastly, another crucial point prescribed on this policy is that the rules and standards uphold the right of learners to enroll in public schools upon presentation of minimum documentary requirements, and to be provided with accessible, relevant, quality and liberating education.
As a teacher I welcome and support this change as a positive reform towards education like an old adage, “Early bird catches the worm,” goes. Enrolment is done every year. This time it is just being pushed earlier. Having it so helps us collect and manage enrollment data that is one such process integral in planning, resource allocation, policy formulation, and development of i nterventions. This new policy will also consolidate the various issuances on enrollment and institutionalize a basic education enrollment process. ( Paid article)