AT least five million learners from private and public schools nationwide enrolled in the first two-day of enrollment period for school year (SY) 2021-2021, Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said on Wednesday.

The Department of Education (DepEd) started on August 16 its remote enrollment across the country for the next school, wherein blended learning will once again be used as mode of teaching due to prevailing threat of deadly (COVID-19), which has now evolving into a different variant.

According to DepEd’s Quick Count as of August 18, shared by Usec. Malaluan, so far for tow day, including the early enrollment in June, a total of 5,000,177 learners who are now enrolled for next school year, it composes of students from public and private schools.

It is 51.95 percent lower compare to last year total enrollment of 9,624,827 of the same period

Of the number, 4,557,327 are learners who enrolled during the early registration in June 2021 while the 395,717 are enrollees in public schools, 45,562 enrollees from private schools, and 1,571 learners who enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local university and colleges (LUCs) from August 16-17, 2021.

Currently, the Region in the county that has most number of enrollees are Region 4-A with 603,484 enrollees, Region VII with 416,107 enrollees, and Region VI with 412,275 enrollees.

Malaluan said that there’s a decrease of number of enrollment compare to last year’s enrollment at the same period but its early to conclude on the reasons why there’s a declined of number enrollees this year since it’s just of the beginning of the enrollment process.

He added that remote enrollment is also not new to the parent.It has been used since last year.

According to the enrollment guidelines of DepEd, learners or parents can send their enrollment form and documentation virtually, including text messaging.

But, for the absence of internet connectivity, the learners or parents can use the drop boxes located at their respective Barangays or schools.

DepEd reiterated that remote enrollment is being implemented in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and Modified ECQ.

However, parents and guardians can submit the document directly to their respective schools in low-risk areas only.

Parents and guardians may accomplish the Modified Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (MLESF) until September 13, 2021, which is also the first day of classes for School Year 2021-2022.