THE EARLY registration for school year 2021-2022 will be from March 26 to April 30, 2021, the Department of Education said on Monday.

The month-long activity will give the department time to better prepare for possible issues and concerns that may arise.

“All incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 in public elementary and secondary schools shall pre-register to allow the Department to make necessary preparations and incoming plans for the coming school year,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Those in Grades 2-6, 8-10, and 12 are considered pre-registered, she said.

Early registration is mandatory for public schools but optional for private schools.

The DepEd reminded schools and the public to follow protocols against Covid19 transmission during the early registration activity.

“In the context of the prevailing Covid19 public health emergency, the conduct of early registration shall be done remotely in areas under General Community Quarantine. In-person registration through parents or guardians may be allowed in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine provided physical distancing and health and safety protocols are strictly observed,” Briones said.

Last year, in line with strict physical distancing and community quarantine measures, the Department adopted remote enrollment in the first two weeks of the activity. On the third week, physical enrollment was done in coordination with the local government units.

Early registration helps the department to anticipate the number of enrollees for the coming school year.

It also seeks to locate, identify and register out-of-school youth and children with disabilities or those living in remote areas.