The Department of Education (DepEd) has streamlined enrollment requirements in public schools, allowing parents to submit their child’s birth certificate only once for their entire K-to-12 education.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move aims to ease the burden on families and prevent students from missing the first day of classes due to incomplete documents.

“We’ve heard from parents that enrollment problems often come from documentary requirements — especially when records are lost, delayed, or need to be reprocessed,” Angara said. “This change saves families time and money. More importantly, it helps ensure that no child misses the first day of school just because of paperwork.”

Under the revised guidelines, parents or guardians need to submit only the original or a certified true copy of the child’s birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or the former National Statistics Office (NSO).

If unavailable, secondary documents will be accepted until 31 October, with the birth certificate to follow as soon as possible.

Accepted secondary documents include a national ID or any primary government-issued ID, Certificate of Live Birth, Marriage Certificate, PhilHealth ID, PWD ID, barangay certification, affidavit of undertaking signed by the parents, PSA-issued Certificate of Foundling, or a baptismal certificate.

Special provisions apply for persons deprived of liberty and residents of rehabilitation facilities enrolled in the Alternative Learning System, who may submit proof of identity to their ALS teacher.

DepEd said enrollment can be done either in person or remotely. For face-to-face enrollment, parents or guardians must submit the basic education enrollment form and supporting documents to the school.

Learners of legal age may enroll themselves, while minors must have their forms signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Remote enrollment options include submitting digital forms via school email or messaging platforms, or dropping printed forms in designated drop boxes located at schools, barangay halls, or other identified collection sites.

Digital and printed enrollment forms are available on DepEd’s official website, the Learner Information System Support page, and through schools and barangays.

DepEd added that late enrollees may still be accommodated, provided they meet at least 80 percent of the required school days and pass the quarterly assessments. If not, the school head may accept the student and recommend interventions to help them catch up.

The agency also reminded schools that student records must be transferred directly between institutions and that no voluntary fees shall be collected during the early registration and enrollment period.

With the simplified process, DepEd expects an increase in public school enrollment during the nationwide registration period from June 9 to 13. Classes for school year 2025-2026 will open on Monday, 16 June.

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