THE NUMBER of enrollees for School Year 2021-2022 hit 26.3 million on Wednesday, exceeding the figures reported in the past school year, the Department of Education said.

DepEd recorded 26,308,875 enrollees, higher than the 26, 227, 022 for SY 2020-2021.

However, this is lower than the enrollment figures before the Covid19 pandemic, which is around 27 million for School Year 2019-2020.

The regions that exceeded the previous year’s enrollment were Ilocos, Cagayan, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Cordillera.

Calabarzon had the most number of enrollees — 3,440,205. It was followed by Central Luzon with 2,579,984; and the National Capital Region, 2,415,663.

Based on DepEd’s Learner Information System Quick Count, 20,029,767 enrolled in public schools, 1,668,489 students enrolled in private schools and 53,292 in state or local universities and colleges.

For the Alternative Learning System, the DepEd said 199,422 or 33.27% of last year’s figures have enrolled so far.

The Education department extended the enrollment period until September 30.