SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education to establish a National Public School Database to further streamline the enrollment process for students across the country.

Gatchalian welcomed DepEd’s recent move allowing a one-time submission of a birth certificate for a learner’s entire K to 12 journey, calling it a significant step toward easing the burden of enrollment on students and parents.

However, he emphasized the need for a more comprehensive and long-term solution.

“We need to do more to streamline learners’ registration,” the senator said.

“One step is to create a National Public School Database, which will contain all learners’ records, making it easier for teachers and school heads to perform their tasks more efficiently,” he added.

The proposed database would centralize and secure students’ academic records and enrollment information, reducing repetitive paperwork and minimizing errors in student data.

Gatchalian added that such a system could also help track learners’ progress and facilitate the delivery of government programs.

“If we can simplify the enrollment process for our learners, we can also widen access to education,” he stressed.

The senator has long advocated for education reforms and digital innovation in schools to improve efficiency and promote inclusive access to quality learning.