The Department of Education announced that early registration for public school students nationwide begins today and runs until February 27 for School Year 2026-2027. It covers entrants to Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11. This process helps schools assess expected enrollment and resource needs.
In Manila, Philippines, early registration for School Year 2026-2027 has begun, as announced by the Department of Education (DepEd). It is free, and the Basic Education Early Registration Form, updated on January 15, can be obtained from any public school.
“Early registration is important as it will help schools know the number of students expected for the coming school year and plan whether their resources are sufficient,” the DepEd said yesterday.
Under DepEd Order 15, s. 2025, a child must be five years old by October 31. Children aged five from November 1 to December 31 may be accepted if they have completed one year of an Early Childhood Development program at a registered center with certification, or submit an ECD checklist assessment by a Kindergarten teacher from the enrollment period until the first week of the school year.
While not mandatory, the DepEd encourages private schools to conduct early registration as well.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Sonny Angara called for a whole-of-government approach to address the learning crisis, following President Marcos’ acceptance of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) report. He emphasized that DepEd cannot achieve the solutions alone and requires coordination with CHED, TESDA, and the Professional Regulation Commission, especially in senior high school, technical-vocational pathways, and teacher education. The report recommends strengthening inter-agency coordination, including reinforcing the education and workforce development group for joint planning, aligned budgets, and shared accountability.
However, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) highlighted the classroom backlog as a symptom of neglect, with current shortages at 166,000 and projected to reach 230,000 by 2028. ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo noted the issue is particularly acute in Metro Manila, Regions 3, 4-A, and 7, where only 99 classrooms were built in 2025.
