THE Department of Education has ordered the return of in-person enrollment for school year 2022-2023 in preparation for full face-to-face classes in November.
Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte has issued Department Order No. 35 setting enrollment starting today, July 25, up to August 22, the official start of classes for the coming school year.
Under the order, in-person enrollment is allowed regardless of the alert level where the school is located, with parents and legal guardians adhering to minimum health standards such as wearing of masks, temperature checks upon entry, and physical distancing.
“The unprecedented success of the pilot implementation and progressive expansion of in-person classes provide the DepEd with concrete evidence and solid experience on how to safely reopen schools nationwide. Consistent with the provisions of Department Order No.34, series of 2022 and in preparation to the resumption of the 5-day in person classes that will start on November 2, 2022, the Department considered the conduct of in-person enrollment in schools,” Duterte said in her order.
However, remote enrollment, which is part of the “enhanced enrollment procedures” amid the pandemic, will still be implemented, the DepEd order said.
Remote enrollment has been the norm since the pandemic began more than two years ago. Enrollment through the use of drop boxes is also part of the remote enrollment procedures.
“Learners can be enrolled through phone calls, text messages, online messaging through Facebook messenger, Viber and email messaging,” the order said.
“Drop box enrollment was also one of the options given to parents and/or legal guardians who have been affected by the alert levels implemented in the various parts of the country,” it added.
It said parents and legal guardians can drop the accomplished Enhanced Basic Education Enrollment Forms in the enrollment drop box or kiosk/booth located in front of the school gate, in front of barangay halls, and other strategic locations that are accessible to them.
Last year, DepEd data showed that 28,033,530 enrolled nationwide from kindergarten to senior high school, up from 26,826,387 in 2021.
Last month, before she stepped down, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said more than 80 percent of all public schools in the country are now compliant not only with the physical distancing requirement for face-to-face classes but also in the provision of handwashing facilities and proper ventilation of their classrooms.
