More than 13.5 million students have so far enrolled for School Year 2021-2022, the Department of Education said on Thursday, two weeks before classes open.

Data released by the DepEd showed that there were 13,540,090 enrollees for basic education in private and public schools.

Of this number, 8,472,801 enrolled in public schools, 498,343 in private schools, 11,619 in state and local universities and colleges, and 117,641 under the Alternative register Learning System program.

There were 4,557,327 Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 learners who participated in the Early Registration held from March to May.

“Pinakamarami na ang nakapagpatala sa Region 4-A (2,156,276), na sinusundan ng National Capital Region (1,367,108), at Region 3 (1,243,975),” DepEd said.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said her agency hoped to match last year’s figure of 26 million students.

She encouraged parents and guardians to enroll their children as soon as possible to avoid overcrowding.

The enrollment period in public schools started on August 16 and will end on September 13, the opening of classes.