Tacloban: The Department of Education (DepEd) 8 (Eastern Visayas) has recorded 1,115,708 basic education enrollees for School Year 2026-2027, exceeding the number of learners enrolled in the previous academic year.
According to Philippines News Agency, as of June 9, the first two days of classes, enrollment had already surpassed last year's total of 989,838 learners, as reported by DepEd-8 Information Officer Jasmin Calzita during a Wednesday interview. Calzita mentioned that the figure is anticipated to rise in the coming weeks since DepEd has not yet formally concluded the enrollment period.
The department has directed schools to implement support mechanisms to assist late enrollees in catching up with their lessons and transitioning smoothly into the new school year. "Enrollment in public schools is free, and learners are only required to submit a copy of their birth certificate once, from elementary through senior high school," Calzita explained.
DepEd offers multiple registration options to enhance accessibility, including in-person enrollment, short messaging service (SMS), email, Facebook Messenger, and dropbox enrollment. Of the total current enrollees in the region's 4,179 public schools, approximately 80,884 are in kindergarten, 531,690 in elementary, 346,545 in junior high, and 156,589 in senior high.
In a statement issued Tuesday, DepEd Eastern Visayas Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez stated that schools across the region warmly welcomed students on the first day of classes with colorful, engaging reception programs. "The opening of classes in the region was orderly and peaceful, thanks to the collective efforts of teachers, school personnel, parents, local government units, police officers, and barangay watchmen, all working together to ensure the safety and well-being of students and teachers," Jimenez remarked.
Jimenez acknowledged that challenges during the opening of classes are inevitable but noted that DepEd officials were prepared to address recurring concerns that arise at the start of every school year.
