DepEd: Six-year olds can enter Grade 1

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Jesli Lapus on Thursday reminded public school officials that they should accept six-year-old children who want to enter Grade 1. In a statement, Lapus said that under Department Order No 21 series of 2006, children who will be six years old by the opening of classes on June 10 are allowed to enroll. He said a pupil only needs to present his or her birth certificate as a documentary basis for admission. Lapus said if this is not available, a joint affidavit attesting to the birth of the child and executed by two disinterested people may be submitted. "We hope this guideline will add to the smooth opening of classes as many of our enrollees belong to this age group," Lapus said. He said that if an enrollee is younger than six years old, he or she may be admitted to Grade 1 provided their readiness for school had been assessed positively by the school where they are applying for admission. In the past, only children aged seven years old and above were allowed to enter Grade 1. Lapus also said that in case a pupil or student wishes to transfer to a public school from another public school or from a private school, a report card or Form 138 should be presented to the school where they intend to transfer. He said that if the document is not available, the child can be admitted on condition that the report card is submitted not later than the end of the first grading period. The DepEd also said that class sizes shall range from a minimum of 15 pupils or students to a maximum of 60 per class but classes from Grades 1 to 3 should not exceed 40 pupils per class. This is to keep the teaching-learning process more manageable during these foundation years of schooling, the order said. Lapus said the DepEd has retained its policy on giving priority on admission to new entrants who are residents of the locality where the school is located. He said the admission is subject to the reasonable threshold ratio of not exceeding 40 pupils per class. DepEd also said that schools may adopt the double shift policy to accommodate all students. Lapus directed school division superintendents and school principals or school heads to implement the order while the Regional Directors will monitor the implementation of the order. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV