The Department of Education (DepEd) Mimaropa announces early registration starting February 1 until March 6 for incoming kindergarten, Grades 1, 7 and 11 for Calendar Year 2020-2021.
Age eligibility for Kindergarten would be those born on or before August 31, 2020. For Grade 1, registrants must complete Kindergarten, or have passed Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) Kinder Level. Another acceptability may include six years old and above by August 31, 2020 and assessed to be Grade 1-ready as per Early Childhood Development (ECD) checklist.
Grade 7 enrollees must be Grade 6 completer or passed the PEPT for Grade 6. Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) elementary passer are also qualified for registration.
For secondary level, Grade 11 aspirants must have completed Grade 10 or passed the PEPT for Grade 10 and ALS A&E secondary passer.
DepEd Mimaropa reiterated that a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or National Statistics Authority (NSO) birth certificate is a requirement. A Local Civil Registrar (LCR) birth certificate, baptismal, or barangay certificate may be submitted in case of unavailability of the aforementioned.
Early registration estimates the number of school children for the coming school year 2020. It also helps the public schools to better address and prepare for possible problems like lack of classrooms, chairs, and teachers months before the opening of the new school year.
Meanwhile, the department also assures the public that children with disability are also guaranteed of free education through Special Education (SPED) or Alternative Learning System (ALS).(Lisabelle Carpio/PIAMimaropa/Calapan)