Mandaue schools expect rise in kinder enrollment

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City is anticipating an increase in kindergarten enrollment for School Year 2025–2026 following the Department of Education’s (DepEd) updated age requirement for incoming learners.

Effective immediately, Mandaue City schools are implementing DepEd’s revised policy allowing the admission of kindergarten learners who will turn five years old on or before October 31—a shift from the long-observed August 31 cut-off date.

“In the prior years, we accept only kindergarten learners na mahimong five years old by August 31, but with the new guidelines we can accept up to October 31,” said Mandaue City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan in an interview on Tuesday, June 10.

Dagatan confirmed that the expanded eligibility window is expected to push enrollment numbers up.

“Imagine, two months ang deperensya, from August 31 to October 31, so with that scenario mag-expect ta na adunay increase sa kindergarten,” he added.

Learners who turn five years old between November 1 and December 31 may still be accepted into kindergarten, but only if they have completed an Early Childhood Development (ECD) program. Those turning five on or before October 31 are not required to present ECD documentation during enrollment.

Dagatan projected a more than one percent increase in enrollment for the coming academic year due to the policy change.

“This year more than one percent because of the kindergarten based on the guidelines released,” he said.

He also noted that if the upward trend in enrollment continues, the division may need to consider hiring additional teaching staff to accommodate the growing number of learners. — CNU Intern Giane Kate Pilapil (FREEMAN)