OVER 28.2 million students have so far enrolled for School Year 2021-2022, the Department of Education reported on Monday.

DepEd data as of September 20 showed that 28,219,623 learners enlisted. Of this number, 21,603,004 were enrolled in public schools and 1,997,089 in private learning institutions.

So far, 62,203 enlisted in state and local universities while 202,603 students registered under the Alternative Learning System program.

The data also showed that 15 out of 17 regions achieved more than 100 percent enrollment rate, indicating that learners who did not enroll last year have returned.

The region with the highest number of enrollees is Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) with 3,688,804, followed by Central Luzon at 2,826,930 and National Capital Region, 2,810,567.

The Cordillera Administrative Region had the lowest number at 470,107.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that exceeding the previous year’s enrollment showed the trust given by the public to the department.

The department expects the figures to increase because enrollment will continue until September 30.