THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Friday said that at least 10.2 million students have so far registered for School Year 2021-2022.

The number of enrollees rose to 10,254,650, including the 4,557,327 who registered early in June.

“Batay sa huling datos ng enrollment ngayong araw, Agosto 27, 2021, 2:00 AM, umabot na sa kabuuang bilang na 10,254,650 ang mga nakapagpatalang mag-aaral na papasok sa Kindergarten hanggang Grade 12 sa mga pampubliko at pribadong paaralan sa buong bansa,” DepEd said.

It said that 5.3 million students enrolled in public schools, 313,000 in private schools, 6,518 in state and local universities and colleges, and 52,425 under the Alternative register Learning System program.

“Pinakamarami na ang nakapagpatala sa Region 4-A (1,727,958), na sinusundan ng NCR (990,394), at Region 3 (973,005),” the department 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.