Drop-box enrollment system implemented by some public schools (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)
by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin
In preparation of the school year (SY) 2022-2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) released a set of guidelines for enrollment in the context of the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face classes and reflective of the current health and safety situation in the Philippines.
Under DepEd order No. 35, the department reintroduced in-person enrollment, highlighting that minimum health and public safety standards must still be observed in schools across the country.
“These enhanced enrollment guidelines shall guide learners, parents, legal guardians, and teachers in enrollment procedures for Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) for SY 2022-2023,” the memo read. DepEd likewise encouraged State and Local Universities, Colleges, and private schools offering basic education to adopt this policy.
Enrollment period will officially start on July 25 and end on Aug. 22, 2022.
After two years of implementing remote enrollment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, DepEd has once again greenlighted the resumption of in-person enrollment, adding that this will help prepare learners, parents, as well as educators in the forthcoming five-day face-to-face classes beginning Nov. 2, 2022.
The in-person option may be done in school where parents can physically process the enrollment. Students, according to DepEd, may likewise enroll themselves as long as their Enhanced Basic Education Enrollment Form (BEEF) are signed by their parent or guardian.
Apart from the in-person enrollment DepEd also introduced additional procedures: remote enrollment and enrollment through dropbox forms.
Remote enrollment means that it will be done via email or any available online platform set by the school. With this procedure, schools were tasked to make the Enhanced BEEF available both in digital and print format.
“Filled up digital copies of the BEEF shall be submitted through the official email address of the school which shall be made available by the school authorities or through available messaging platforms by the school,” said DepEd.
Enrollment using dropboxes, on the other hand, requires the submission of the printed and filled up copy of BEEF in the established dropbox which may be placed in front of the school, Barangay Hall, or any other visible location.
DepEd previously announced that SY 2022-2023 will officially begin on Aug. 22, 2022. With a target of 203 school days, the academic year will end on July 7, 2023. Blended learning, according to DepEd, may only be implemented until Oct. 31, 2022 as all public and private schools nationwide were mandated to implement five-day in-person classes beginning Nov. 2, 2022.
