Ilocos region: The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Ilocos Region has logged a significant increase in early registrations for the school year 2026-2027, totaling 157,521 enrollees from Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11. This marks a 7.4 percent rise from the 146,637 registered in the previous school year.

According to Philippines News Agency, the increase in early registrations is attributed to a new DepEd order regarding age cut-offs for kindergarteners and enhanced child-mapping activities by division offices. Joey Pimentel, Regional Statistician of DepEd Ilocos' Policy, Planning and Research Division, highlighted that the new guidelines require kindergarteners to be 5 years old by October 31 of the calendar year. However, exceptions are made for those turning 5 between November 1 and December 31, provided they have completed an early childhood care and development (ECCD) program.

Pimentel explained that the early registration, which ran from January 31 to February 27 this year, included incoming learners for specific grades in all public elementary and secondary schools. Meanwhile, students for other grades were preregistered in the system. The breakdown of early registrants includes 34,130 in Kindergarten, 52,147 in Grade 1, 36,528 in Grade 7, and 34,716 in Grade 11.

The initiative aims to allow DepEd to adequately prepare for the upcoming school year. Furthermore, learners who missed the early registration window can still enroll before classes commence.