DepEd revises Kinder age cut-off

The Department of Education yesterday announced a revised Kindergarten cut-off age policy that will allow more Filipino children to begin formal education earlier.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Starting School Year (SY) 2025-2026, children who turn five-years-old on or before Oct. 31 will now be eligible to enroll in Kindergarten — a move that aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a more inclusive, learner-centered education system.

“This policy is rooted in our understanding that every child grows and learns at their own pace,” said DepEd 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,” he added.

The previous cut-off date was Aug. 31 which meant thousands of children with later birthdays had to wait another year before starting school.