To:     Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Heads, Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
All Others Concerned

1. In addition to DepEd Order No. 1, s. 2015 entitled Declaring January 24, 2015 as Commencement of Early Registration for SY 2015-2016, the Department of Education (DepEd) issues this Order to include the following provisions regarding the entrance age of Kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils:

1. Children who will turn five years old by June 2015 shall be accepted in Kindergarten for School Year (SY) 2015-2016. Those who will turn five years old on or before October 31, 2015 must show proof of completion of Early Childhood Education, such as an attendance in day care/learning centers. Children shall also be accepted after the teacher/principal has assessed their readiness to take Kindergarten education using appropriate development tools, such as the Early Childhood and Care Development (ECCD) Checklist; and
2. The enrolment of children who will be five years old by June 1 of the coming SY shall be strictly implemented by SY 2016-2017 and onwards.

1. Kindergarten completers will be accepted in Grade 1. The pupils should be at least six years old by October 2015; and
2. Children who have completed the Kindergarten Catch-up Program and deemed ready for Grade 1 based on the School Readiness Assessment Tool shall also be registered.

2. The issuance of this Order aims to strengthen the effort of the DepEd in providing learner-centered education.
3. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

(Sgd.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary

References:
DepEd Order Nos.: (1, s. 2015) and 21, s. 2012

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
ADMISSION OR ENROLMENT
CHANGE
POLICY
PUPILS
REQUIREMENT
SCHOOLS

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