BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Enrolling in basic education school is now easier and more cost-effective as the Department of Education (DepEd) simplifies requirements, allowing parents to submit their child’s birth certificate only once for the entire K-12 education. This move responds to President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s call for faster, seamless, and more inclusive school registration.

“We’ve heard from parents that enrollment can be challenging due to the paper requirements and missing records,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said. “This new policy means less expense and less hassle for our parents and families. They no need to secure the same documents every year, which eases their financial burden and makes our enrollment process more efficient.”

Under the revised guidelines, parents or guardians must submit the original or a certified true copy of the learner’s PSA/NSO-issued birth certificate only once. If the birth certificate is unavailable during enrollment, they may submit secondary documents until October 31, but must provide the birth certificate as soon as it becomes available.

The Department will also accept secondary documents, including National ID or any primary government ID, Certificate of Live Birth, Marriage Certificate, Philhealth ID, PWD ID, Barangay Certification, Affidavit of undertaking signed by parents, NSO/PSA issued Certificate of Foundling, and Baptismal Certificate.

Special provisions are made for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and residents of rehabilitation facilities enrolled in ALS, who may submit certificates or proof of identity to their ALS teacher.

DepEd said enrollment can be done either in person or remotely. Parents or guardians may register their children in-person by submitting the Basic Education Enrollment Form (BEEF) and necessary documents at the school. Learners may enroll themselves if they are of legal age, while minors must have their enrollment form signed by a parent or legal guardian. 

Remote enrollment options include sending completed digital forms via the school’s email or messaging platforms or dropping forms at designated boxes located in schools, barangay halls, or other collection points. Digital and printed copies of the form are available on DepEd’s official websites, Learner Information System (LIS) Support page, schools, barangays, and other designated locations. 

According to the Department, late enrollees may still be accepted if they meet at least 80 percent of the number of school days and pass the quarterly requirements. If not, the school head may decide to accept the student and offer interventions to catch-up.

The Department also reiterated that learner’s records must be transferred directly between schools. 

Likewise, no voluntary fees shall be collected during the early registration and enrollment period.

With these simpler rules, DepEd expects more students to enroll this year across all grade levels in public schools during the nationwide registration period from June 9 to 13, 2025. Classes for SY 2025-2026 will begin on June 16, 2025. 

For a smooth start to the school year, DepEd encourages parents to take advantage of these easier enrollment requirements and register their children for a smooth start to the school year.

For more information, please access DepEd Order No. 017, s. 2025, titled Revised Basic Education Enrollment Policy here: (https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/06/13/june-13-2025-do-017-s-2025-revised-basic-education-enrollment-policy/).

*All Photos from PUMA