MANILA, Philippines – From only 530,000 enrollees on the first day of classes on Monday, June 13, the number of Grade 11 pupils in public and private schools nationwide has increased to over 1 million students, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Based on DepEd’s Learner Information System, senior high school enrollment hit a million on Friday, June 17, at 11:17 am. (READ: Senior high school: No youth left behind?)

By 4:24 pm, the enrollment has reached 1,039,047. The department expects this number to rise in the coming weeks since 1,600 schools have yet to report their enrollment figures. (READ: 1.5M students to enter senior high’s Grade 11)

701,536 of the Grade 11 students are enrolled in public schools, either in DepEd-run schools (690,602) or in public universities and colleges (10,934). Around 337,511, meanwhile, chose to study in private schools.

Most of the students also chose the academic track (629,703 students), followed by the technical-vocational-livelihood track (404,932 students), the arts and design track (2,835 students), and the sports track (1,577 track).

By the rate the enrollment is going, Luistro said the number of Grade 10 completers who might not proceed to senior high school could be just 10% and not the historical 50%. 

This means the number will be less than Luistro’s earlier estimate: 200,000 to 400,000 students. (READ: Kariton Klasrum to help senior high school dropouts)

“If we finish registration, I think we’ll be at an all-time high [when it comes to the] number of 4th year high school completers taking on at least another year or 2 of education,” he explained.

“My educated guess is more than 90% of the 1.4 million will enroll,” Luistro added.

What led to the higher turnout in senior high school enrollment? Luistro said it could be because the students are excited about the program, and because they have many specializations to choose from.

This year marks the full implementation of the K to 12’s senior high school program. But critics worry that the country’s dropout rate could rise because of the additional expenses that come with two more years of high school.

Addressing his critics, Luistro said these “doomsday scenarios are based on those who don’t believe in the K to 12 program in the first place.”

“Let’s concentrate on helping students enroll,” he urged those who oppose the program. – Rappler.com