6-year-olds can now be enrolled

By Tony Pe. Rimando

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Six-year-old children could now be in Grade 1 in public elementary schools nationwide for school year 2008-2009.

Department of Education Region 3 director Marie L. Ramirez. bared this saying Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus recentlyg issued an order saying prospective first graders should be six years old by the opening of classes on June 10.

Parents enrolling their six-year-old children should present the latter’s birth certificate as a documentary basis for admission, Ramirez said, adding that if this is not available, a joint affidavit attesting to the birth of the child and executed by two disinterested persons may be submitted.

According to Ramirez, Lapus directed all provincial and city school division superintendents and elementary school principals to implement his order immediately even as he told regional directors and their education supervisors to monitor compliance to the requirements.

Ramirez said Lapus’ order stipulated that a child younger than six years old may also be admitted in the first grade provided that he is positively assessed by the school where he is applying for admission.