Initial data: Fewer students in region’s public schools

CEBU, Philippines - Partial data for public schools in Central Visayas showed a decrease in enrolment by 49,019 this year, the Department of Education  disclosed.

As of June 13, a total of 1,572,688 were enrolled in kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools, which is lower than last year’s 1,621,707 enrollees.

Of this number, 136,295 are enrolled in kindergarten; 1,016,150 are enrolled in elementary; and 420,243 and enrolled in high school.

DepEd-7 Director Carmelita Dulangon said they are expecting that numbers will increase by month’s end as some schools are yet to submit their data.

“Partial report pa ni. Some big school divisions are still gathering data. We must also count the Sped (Special Education) enrolment and ALS (Alternative Learning System) students,” she said.

The complete list of enrollees will be released on June 31, including the numbers from private schools.

Of the 19 divisions in the region, the most number of enrollees in public schools are in Cebu Province, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Cebu City division -482, 507; 264, 608; 195,642; and 149, 830 enrollees, respectively.

The least number of enrollees in Central Visayas are recorded in Bais City Division with a number of 16, 795 enrollees. Bais City is in Negros Oriental.  (FREEMAN)