Accurate data is the backbone of any successful education system. As the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) continues to strengthen learner management and education delivery nationwide, one key requirement stands out for School Year (SY) 2025–2026—timely enrollment and data validation in the Learner Information System (LIS).
Guided by DepEd Order No. 17, s. 2025, which updates the Basic Education Enrollment Policy, all schools and Alternative Learning System (ALS) Community Learning Centers are mandated to properly enroll learners and secure the accuracy, completeness, and on-time submission of all related information in the LIS.
While the directive is primarily administrative, it has significant long-term impact for families, teachers, education planners, and stakeholders—even those viewing Philippine education from abroad, such as overseas Filipinos supporting children back home. Ensuring accurate learner information helps avoid delays in school services, supports equitable funding, and improves planning for better learning outcomes.
Why LIS Accuracy Matters More Than Ever
The Learner Information System serves as the Philippines’ centralized digital registry for all basic education learners. It allows the government and schools to track enrollment, assess performance indicators, and plan resources such as classrooms, teachers, learning materials, and ALS interventions.
Accurate LIS data ensures:
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Correct learner profiles for report cards, transfer credentials, and progression
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Reliable enrollment counts for planning and budgeting
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Clear monitoring indicators for dropout rates, completion rates, and enrollment trends
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Stronger educational support for regions and schools needing additional assistance
Just as school districts abroad rely on up-to-date student databases for funding and resource allocation, the LIS plays a similar role for public and private schools across the Philippines. This alignment with global best practices strengthens the country’s capacity to build data-driven education policies.
Key Reminders from DepEd for SY 2025–2026
DepEd emphasizes three major points that all schools, administrators, and ALS workers must follow as part of the revised enrollment procedures.
1. LIS Enrollment Is Open All Year
Enrollment in the LIS remains open throughout the school year. This is crucial for:
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Late enrollees
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Balik-Aral learners
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Learners with interrupted schooling
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ALS enrollees who join rolling programs
Pending LIS requests—such as transfers, corrections, or pending approvals—must be resolved without delay. Quick action prevents backlogs and ensures that learner records stay accurate and updated.
2. Regional and Division Offices Must Provide Ongoing Support
Regional Offices (ROs) and Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are tasked to:
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Monitor LIS compliance across schools
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Provide technical assistance to school heads, teachers, and ALS implementers
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Ensure timely encoding and updating of learner data
This creates a streamlined support system that allows schools—especially those in remote barangays or island communities—to maintain consistent LIS performance.
3. Official SY 2025–2026 Enrollment Data Will Influence Key Decisions
Before the end of the school year, DepEd will generate the official enrollment figures for SY 2025–2026. These numbers will be used to determine:
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Budget allocations
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Classroom and teacher requirements
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Learning resource distribution
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Performance indicators at school, division, regional, and national levels
Accurate data not only strengthens local planning but also shapes nationwide policies.
For stakeholders reviewing enrollment trends, DepEd has provided a division-level comparative dataset that includes:
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SY 2025–2026 enrollment (as of October 30, 2025)
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Official SY 2024–2025 enrollment
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Projected school-age population based on the 2020 Philippine Census
This comparative data may be accessed through the official link shared by DepEd.
What Schools and ALS Centers Should Do
To comply effectively with the policy, schools should strengthen their internal enrollment and data validation processes. Here are recommended actions:
1. Designate LIS Focal Persons
Each school should assign at least one LIS coordinator trained to manage data accuracy, request approvals, and troubleshoot system-related issues.
2. Validate Records Regularly
Instead of waiting for deadlines, schools and ALS centers should check learner information weekly or monthly to catch errors early.
3. Engage Parents and Learners
Parents must be informed about the importance of providing correct details such as:
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Birthdates
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Spelling of names
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Address and transfer records
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Previous school history
This minimizes duplicate or incorrect entries.
4. Strengthen Data Security
Schools must safeguard learner information—mirroring global data privacy practices—to prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with the Data Privacy Act.
How Accurate Enrollment Data Helps Communities
Reliable enrollment figures directly influence how well schools can support learners. It impacts:
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Class sizes
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Hiring of teachers
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Distribution of learning materials
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Availability of special programs
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Infrastructure development
These outcomes affect not just students, but the entire community—including families abroad sponsoring education expenses for children in the Philippines.
Better data leads to better decisions. And better decisions lead to better learning environments.
A Call for Consistent, Accurate, and Reliable LIS Data
DepEd’s reminder is ultimately a call to action: every school, teacher, and ALS facilitator plays a vital role in shaping the future of Philippine education through accurate LIS enrollment and data validation.
The process may be technical, but its benefits reach far beyond the LIS itself—affecting planning, funding, equity, and long-term education quality. By consistently updating learner records, schools help pave the way for a stronger, more efficient education system built on reliable data.