ILOILO City — With public schools already tallying more than 44,000 pre-registered learners just days into the process, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 has intensified its call for parents to register incoming students early to help schools prepare classrooms, teachers, and learning resources for School Year (SY) 2026–2027.
Early registration officially started on January 31 and will run until February 27, targeting learners entering Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11, as well as first-time enrollees in public schools and the Alternative Learning System.
“We call on our parents, especially those whose kids are incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 to have their kids pre-registered. All they have to do is to proceed sa public school where they intend to have their kids enrolled for SY 2026-2027,” said DepEd-6 Information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. in an interview with Panay News, stressing that “this is free kay we have a prevailing policy that no collection will be collected.”
Escullar explained that early registration is designed to give schools a clearer picture of expected enrollment, allowing administrators to plan ahead for classrooms, teachers, and other logistical needs before the academic year begins.
The process, he said, is straightforward. Parents only need to approach the school personnel assigned to early registration, fill out the Basic Education Pre-registration Form, and submit basic documents such as a birth certificate. In cases where a birth certificate is unavailable, a barangay certification containing the child’s basic information will suffice.
As of 1 p.m. on February 1, DepEd-6 recorded 44,010 pre-registered learners across Western Visayas.
“We look forward nga malapawan ang previous year nga 163,316 pre-registered learners for SY 2025-2026 and indi na sila maghulat pa sang last day,ipa-pre register na ang ila mga kabataan,” Escullar added.
He also clarified that learners in grade levels not covered by the early registration directive are considered automatically pre-registered, streamlining the enrollment process for continuing students.
Under DepEd Order No. 017, Series of 2025, or the Revised Basic Education Enrollment Policy, early registration is mandatory for all new entrants to Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11, including transferees to public schools and first-time Alternative Learning System learners. The policy underscores the role of pre-registration in enrollment projection and resource allocation.
In line with the order, public elementary and secondary schools are directed to set up Early Registration Desks or Registration Centers within school premises, manned by designated non-teaching personnel. Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are also instructed to coordinate with local government units to identify communities with high numbers of potential enrollees but limited school capacity.
To further expand reach, SDOs may assign focal persons to work with barangay chairpersons and the Local Social Welfare and Development Offices, particularly in registering street children and other vulnerable learners./PN
