The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that 250,000 of the 20.2 million students enrolled came from private schools, as enrollment for public school ends today.
Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said in an interview with Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday that 19,145,129 learners enrolled in public schools while 1,050,437 were registered to private schools.
In 2019, 27.5 to 28 million students enrolled. Of the number, 22.5 million were in public schools.
“Nasa halos 25% lamang po ‘yan ‘yung numerong nabanggit ko (1,050,437) doon sa last year’s enrollment figures natin sa private schools,” the DepEd official said, noting the decline of enrollment in private schools.
(It was only 25% of last year’s enrollment in private schools.)
“Pero naniniwala po kami na tataas pa po ‘yan dahil baka hindi pa po nagre-report lahat,” Umali added.
(But we believe it would increase since the report was not yet complete.)
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Meanwhile, the figure from public schools is now at 84.8% of the enrollment figure in 2019.
“Meron po kaming naitala na humigit kumulang 200,000 to 250,000 who transferred from private to public schools,” Umali said.
(We recorded around 200,000 to 250,000 who transferred from private to public schools.)
The official also claimed the quality of public education has improved with the DepEd’s campaign of delivery of quality basic education.
Umali, however, said the COVID-19 crisis could have played a significant role in the transfer of students from private to public schools.
“Ang nakikita po natin, dahil marami po tayong kababayan na marami pong kinakaharap na pagsubok sa kanila pong kita, ‘yun po ang isa sigurong dahilan kung bakit po naglilipatan itong ilang mga bata mula sa pribado patungong pampublikong paaralan,” he said.
(Many of our countrymen face challenges during this time, and it could be one of the reasons why they transferred from private to public schools.)
Private educational institutions are among sectors badly hit by the pandemic. In Cavite alone, 100 private schools would stop operations due to low enrollment, as confirmed by Governor Juanito Victor Remulla.
Private schools were advised to extend their enrollment period until September to accommodate late enrollees and offer services.