Bacolod enrollment hits 106,607 as classes open

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Education-Bacolod Division has initially recorded 106,607 enrollees in 202 public and private schools for School Year 2026–2027 as classes opened Monday, June 8.

DepEd-Bacolod spokesperson and Education Program Specialist II RJ Paglomutan said the figure included 91,959 learners in public schools and 14,714 in private schools as of June 8.

Of the total, 60,543 learners were enrolled from kindergarten to Grade 6, 32,549 in Grades 7 to 10 or junior high school, and 13,515 in Grades 11 and 12 or senior high school.

Paglomutan said enrollment decreased from last year’s 114,000 learners.

However, he said enrollment for transferees and late enrollees will continue until next week, which could still increase the total.

Paglomutan said enrollment peaked June 1 during the kickoff of Brigada Eskwela, DepEd’s annual school maintenance and preparation program.

“We don’t know how many will be added, but it was forecasted that enrollment will decrease after two years due to the effects of the pandemic,” he said.

He said all 70 public schools and 84 of 154 private schools in the city had submitted their initial enrollment lists.

Based on DepEd-Bacolod’s assessment, the opening of classes went smoothly as schools had prepared to welcome learners for the new school year.

Paglomutan said separation anxiety among kindergarten pupils had been expected and was properly addressed by schools.

He said no illegal peddlers were reported in schools, while canteens were also checked.

Paglomutan also said pupils in all 46 public elementary schools received school supplies from the city government during the opening of classes.

He said DepEd-Bacolod is waiting for the physical education T-shirts from the city government for learners in 22 public high schools and two farm schools.

Following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday, Paglomutan said schools in Bacolod were prepared for emergencies as students and teachers had undergone earthquake and fire drills.