More Filipino children will now be eligible for Kindergarten as the Department of Education (DepEd) revised the age cut-off policy for admission, expanding the window for learners turning five years old.
The updated policy will take effect this coming School Year 2025–2026 and supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas vision for a more inclusive, learner-centered education system.
Under the new guidelines, children who turn five years old on or before October 31 of the school year may now enroll in Kindergarten. This extends the previous cut-off date of August 31, easing restrictions for families with children born later in the year.
“This policy is rooted in our understanding that every child grows and learns at their own pace,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “By allowing more flexibility in the Kindergarten age requirement, we are making sure that each learner has the opportunity to start strong and succeed from day one.”
The policy also allows conditional admission for children turning five between November 1 and December 31, provided they complete a one-year Early Childhood Development (ECD) program from a recognized center or pass an ECD readiness checklist during enrollment.
Private schools are also covered by the directive but may implement additional readiness assessments as part of their screening process.
For parents like Ramil Bautista of Pasig, the change is a welcome relief. “Gusto kong mapalawig pa ang kaalaman ng anak ko sa pagbabasa, pagsusulat, pagbibilang, at magandang asal,” he said, noting that the new policy offers his child a stronger foundation for lifelong learning.
In 2024, over 1.8 million Kindergarten learners were enrolled across the country out of 26.4 million learners nationwide. DepEd anticipates a higher turnout this year, with public school enrollment scheduled from June 9 to 13, 2025, and classes beginning on June 16.
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