Ilocos: The Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded 146,637 early registrants from Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 in the Ilocos Region for the school year 2025-2026. The figures were announced by Joey Pimentel, Regional Statistician of DepEd Ilocos' Policy, Planning, and Research Division, during a forum held on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the breakdown of the early registrants includes 30,850 Kindergarten pupils, 43,595 Grade 1 students, 35,129 in Grade 7, and 37,063 in Grade 11. This data was collected from 3,028 out of the 3,050 schools in the region. A total of 22 private schools either partially participated or did not submit their enrollment figures.

The early registration period, which ran from January 25 to February 15, aimed to prepare for the upcoming school year. This initiative was focused on incoming Kindergarten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 students, as those in other levels are automatically enrolled by their advisers.

Pimentel highlighted a declining trend in early registrants, which mirrors the overall decrease in enrollment, citing the region's low birth rate as a contributing factor. However, he assured that students who missed the early registration window could still enroll during the official enrollment period for the 2025-2026 academic year.

In addition, Johnson Sunga, Education Program Supervisor for the Curriculum and Learning Management Division, confirmed that the region has adequate teaching staff to meet students' educational needs. DepEd also reported ongoing rehabilitation efforts for classrooms and school facilities that were damaged by weather disturbances last year.