Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 22) — Children can enrol until Nov. 21 for the school year, an Education officials said Thursday.
Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said it would be better to enrol ahead of the deadline for the student to catch up and for schools to be ready to take in more students.
“Huwag na sanang hintayin yung deadline na Nov. 21 kasi mahihirapan yung bata na makahabol at pangalawa, mahihirapan rin naman ang mga paaralan kasi nakapag-handa lang tayo doon sa mga nakapag-enroll previously” Mateo told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.
[Translation: Please don’t wait for the Nov. 21 deadline because children will have a hard time to catch up, and second, schools will also have a hard time since we were only able to prepare for those previously enrolled.]
He added that other students may even opt to skip school because of the delay.
Mateo said there are nearly 25 million students nationwide, lower than last year’s count of around 27.7 million. He said the pandemic caused worries on some parents who eventually decided not to enroll their children.
The official said there are alternative modes to ensure learning continuity without sacrificing health safety.
Education in the new normal involves the use of printed and digital modules, online platforms, and TV and radio, Mateo said
Meanwhile, Mateo mentioned the Alternative Learning System for those who do not have or cannot access formal education. This is under the flexible learning options that focuses on the development of skills, he added.
