DepEd to implement enhanced enrollment process

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will implement an “enhanced” process to facilitate the enrollment of millions of students for this coming school year amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

In its Order 32, DepEd outlined the guidelines on the enrollment for SY 2021-2022 in the context of a continuing national public emergency.

The guidelines provide a range of options to facilitate the enrollment of learners in public schools, including the alternative learning system programs, in the country.

Enrollment for the school year will start on Aug. 16 and will continue until the start of classes on Sept. 13.

“These guidelines seek to ensure continued access to learning opportunities through the conduct of an enrollment process that is efficient, safe and in line with minimum health and safety standards,” the order read.

Enrollment shall primarily be administered remotely to keep strict distancing measures, especially in areas placed under modified and enhanced community quarantine.

DepEd said teachers and non-teaching personnel that will be assigned to manage the enrollment should preferably be vaccinated.

Drop box enrollment methods may also be implemented while parents and guardians in lower risk areas may physically submit the requirements in schools.

DepEd said schools should make available the modified learner enrollment and survey forms both in digital and print formats and set up communication hotlines to disseminate information on enrolment procedures.

Deadlines for the submission of documentary requirements have also been postponed until Dec. 31 amid the difficulties presented by the pandemic.