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September 23, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) credited parents and learners for their support for learning continuity amidst the pandemic as the agency reported that it exceeded last year’s enrollment figure.

“This indicates the kind of response of our parents and learners [in education],” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said during the Budget Hearing at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Based on the Learner Information System (LIS) Quick Count report on Saturday, 28,219,623 learners are registered for SY 2021-2022, or 107.6% compared to last year’s enrollment. SY 2020-2021 had 26,227,022 enrollees.

The report also shows that 15 out of 17 regions have achieved more than 100% enrollment rate, indicating that learners who did not enroll last year are returning to the basic education system.

Currently, Region II (Cagayan Valley) has the highest enrollment turnout rate, as their 1,117,725 running total of enrollees for SY 2021-2022 reflect 122.2% of last year’s number. Meanwhile, Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) and CARAGA posted 118.5% and 118.3% turnout rates, respectively.

“We thank our field offices, school heads, and teachers for their dedication and hardwork 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,” Sec. Briones said in a separate statement.

With the continuous upward trend of enrollment figures, the Education chief said that DepEd is expecting more learners to enroll until September 30, the last day for late enrollment.

“We expect the number to increase since we are extending the enrollment. It is a common practice of the Department to extend the enrollment,” Sec. Briones added.

In the pre-pandemic years of the current administration (2016-2019), the Department also noted in the budget hearing presentation that the agency recorded an 8.45% increase in enrollment.

“Is it not only to match last year’s, it is also to recover also those who opted out of enrolling. We are seeing better numbers this year,” Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan said.

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