The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday reported that 18,901,373 learners have enrolled in public and private schools nationwide for Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022.

Based on the latest data from its Learner Information System Quick Count, the department said 14,334,046 learners have enrolled as of August 31 and 4,557,327 during the early registration as of June 2.

Region 4-A (Calabarzon) has logged the highest number of enrollees with 2,736,301, including 2,225,592 learners enrolled and 480,709 under early registration.

The National Capital Region recorded the second-highest number of enrollees with 1,869,853, consisting of 1,577,728 learners and 292,125 registrants.

Meanwhile, 154,670 learners have enrolled in the Alternative Learning System.

Last year, a total of 26,826,387 students enrolled in Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 6, Junior High School, Senior High School, and the Alternative Learning System.

Registration will run until September 13, the first day of the school year that will use blended learning as face-to-face classes remain suspended due to the pandemic.

On Monday, the DepEd has set up the Oplan Balik Eskwela 2021 Public Assistance Command Center (OBE-PACC) nationwide to cater to stakeholders’ queries and concerns before the school year starts.

The OBE-PACC at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Central Office will accommodate queries of parents, learners, and other stakeholders received through hotlines, emails, SMS, and social media until September 17. (PNA)