The Department of Education on Tuesday reported that early enrollment in Kinder and Grades 1, 7, and 11 has reached 4.3 million.

Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said this was equivalent to 95 percent of the enrollees from the previous school year.

“Kung suma-tutal naman nung enrollment natin nung last year, bagama’t tinarget po natin ay 80%, umabot na po tayo ng almost 96% of the school year 2019-2020, that is in spite of the pandemic,” he said in the Laging Handa news briefing.

The DepEd has decided to extend early enrollment up to the end of May.

“Kapag pinayagan na tayo mag-open ng school year, probably August or July, meron pa pong [another] enrollment again, eto naman po yung dun sa iba pang mga naka-enroll na previous year, masiguro lang na patuloy,” he said.

The official said the enrollment for the remaining grade levels would be held once the opening date for the next school year is announced.

Mateo urged parents and guardians to enroll their children to allow them to continue their education amid the pandemic. Jamie Louise Jimeno