Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1508)
The policy aims to institutionalize an efficient enrollment process in public and private schools, and state/local universities and colleges offering basic education nationwide, upholding learners' rights to accessible, relevant, quality education, and ensuring streamlined enrollment procedures.
All public schools nationwide must accept learners upon submission of the minimum documentary requirements specified in the policy.
Children must be five years old by August 31 of the school year they enroll in, and they must submit a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate or equivalent legal proof.
'Early Registration' is the pre-registration of incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 learners conducted prior to the opening of classes, specifically from the last Saturday of January to the last Friday of February each year.
They must submit their SF 9 (formerly Form 138) or a letter signed by the School Registrar certifying the last grade level completed.
The learner may be temporarily enrolled upon submission of an Affidavit of Undertaking by the parent/guardian and will not be considered officially enrolled until all required documents are submitted by August 31 of the school year.
No fees shall be collected from schoolchildren during enrollment; memberships and voluntary contributions may be collected after enrollment following applicable DepEd issuances and must not affect enrollment or financial assistance.
The LRN is a unique and permanent identifier issued to every learner in the basic education system, used throughout their basic education to establish learner identity and manage enrollment data.
Schools must conduct advocacy campaigns, designate early registration desks, accept documentary requirements, encode data in the Learner Information System, and identify pre-registered learners.
The policy requires early registration to include campaigns to locate and register OSCs and OSYs, characterized by various vulnerabilities, and encourages ALS programs for learners aged 13 and above enrolling for the first time.