DepEd revises policy, widens entry age for Kindergartens 

The Department of Education (DepEd) has revised the age cut-off policy for admission, which will expand the window for learners turning five years old.

Due to this, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said more Filipino children would be eligible for Kindergarten. The new policy will take effect this School Year 2025-2026. 

“This policy is rooted in our understanding that every child grows and learns at their own pace,” Angara said in a press release on Thursday. “By allowing more flexibility in the Kindergarten age requirement, we are making sure that each learner has the opportunity to start strong and succeed from day one.”

The new policy states that children who turn five years old on or before October 31 of the school year may now enroll in Kindergarten.

This extends the previous cut-off date of August 31, which eases restrictions for families with children born later in the year.

The policy also allows conditional admission for children turning five between November 1 and December 31, provided that they complete a one-year Early Childhood Development (ECD) program from a recognized center or pass an ECD readiness checklist during enrollment.

The DepEd said private schools are covered by the directive but may implement additional readiness assessments as part of their screening process.

In 2024, more than 1.8 million Kindergarten learners were enrolled across the country out of 26.4 million learners nationwide. 

The DepEd anticipates a higher turnout this year, with public school enrollment scheduled from June 9 to 13, 2025, and classes starting on June 16.—LDF, GMA Integrated News