In 2011, the Department of Education (DepEd) – Philippines launched the Learner’s Information System (LIS) to streamline and digitalize the enrollment process in the country. It allows school heads, administrators, or class advisers to enroll learners, check their academic records, or update their status using their issued LRN. But what is DepEd LRN, and how can a learner get one? Read on as we discuss everything to know about DepEd LRN.
The DepEd LRN is utilized by all educational institutions in the Philippines, from public and private schools to ALS programs. DepEd implemented it to simplify and modernize the enrolment process in the country. In addition, LRN can help class advisers trace learners and manage their classes. It can also help determine the status of learners if they’re transferring to another school or promoted to the secondary level. That’s why parents and guardians of learners should understand what the DepEd LRN is all about to ensure their child gets one.
What is DepEd LRN
Introduced by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Learner Reference Number (LRN) is a 12-digit number assigned to learners enrolled in the basic education system in the Philippines. It is a unique and permanent number provided to learners enrolled in public schools, including private educational institutions and Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs with permits to operate or recognized by DepEd.
On March 20, 2012, DepEd launched the adoption of LRN to all public school learners at elementary and secondary levels through the K to 12 Curriculum. However, DepEd LRN functions as a national student identification number. Thus, all learners in the country will receive a unique LRN upon enrollment to Kinder. The DepEd LRN applies even if the learner transfers to another school or learning institution, public or private, including moving up or promotion to the secondary level.
Objectives
Although DepEd initially created the LRN for public school learners, the department later implemented this order for all students in the Philippine basic education. As per DepEd Order (DO) No. 22 series 2012, the implementation of LRN seeks to achieve the following objectives:
- Expedite tracing/checking of learners’ academic records and performance.
- Help recognize learners by incorporating LRN into their school records, such as diplomas, SF9 (Form 138), SF10 (Form 137), Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) Examination, ALS Certificate, and National Achievement Test (NAT)
- Ensure learners’ school records are accurate and correct
Who is it for
Under the DepEd Order (DO) No. 52 series 2016, the authority to issue LRN to learners is only granted to the following institutions:
- Public schools
- Private schools licensed/recognized by DepEd
- ALS Community Learning Centers
These institutions can issue only one permanent LRN to each learner in the basic education system, which they will use from Kinder to college. Meanwhile, the DepEd Central and Regional Offices don’t have the authority to issue LRN to new learners. DepEd offices are also not allowed to disclose a learner’s existing LRN. Upon enrolment, educational institutions will issue DepEd LRN free of charge to the following:
- Entering Kinder, Grade 1 (Kindergarten Catch-Up Education Program / KCEP), and ALS learners.
- Learners in Grade 1 (non-KCEP) to Grade 12 (Issuance of LRN requires the DepEd Division Office approval via LIS)
- Kindergarten learners must be five (5) years old when school starts.
The issuance of DepEd LRN depends on age to ensure the school readiness of learners mentally, emotionally, and physically. For instance, if the institution begins the school year past June, learners enrolled in Kinder must be five (5) years old by June 1, while the extension period is until August 31. For schools beginning their school year on July 1 and August 1, the extension period is until September 30 and October 31, respectively.
How to find DepEd LRN
The DepEd LRN is often in the Learner’s Progress Report Card/SF9 (Form 138). You can also check the DepEd LRN in other school documents, such as the Learner’s Permanent Academic Record/SF10 (Form 137), ALS Certificate, and NAT. However, the parent or guardian of the learner can ask the school registrar for their permanent LRN if it’s not in the stated documents.
How to get DepEd LRN
Follow the steps below to get DepEd LRN for your child:
- Parents or guardians must first enroll their child in a public school. If private, the school or learning center must be DepEd-recognized.
- Learners who will enroll as Kinder, Grade 1 (Kindergarten Catch-Up Education Program / KCEP), and ALS must meet the age requirement of five (5) years old.
- Before a learner can get an LRN, the accepting school will require the following documents for Kinder Enrolment on the Learner Information System (LIS):
- PSA Birth/Baptismal Certificate
- SF9 (Form 138) or SF10 (Form 137)
- The school coordinator or class adviser will enroll the learner on the LIS portal if they meet all the requirements.
- After filling out the required data and enrolling the learner, the system will generate a permanent LRN.
On the contrary, learners from private schools without a permit to operate or not recognized by DepEd will not get an LRN. Hence, parents/guardians must ensure they enroll their children at DepEd-recognized schools to ensure the issuance of LRN.
DepEd LRN Format
LRN Format for K-12
LRN Format for ALS
Video: Everything you need to know about LRN (Paano makakakuha ang anak niyo ng LRN?) | Teacher Jo
To learn more about the DepEd LRN, watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, the DepEd LRN is mandatory for all learners, issued from Kindergarten, and used until college. It was strictly implemented in the school year 2019 to 2020 due to the transition period brought about by the K to 12 curriculum. The LRN can help trace learners’ levels, schools, and other information. Meanwhile, educational institutions with DepEd permits will issue the LRN where the learner enrolls.
Nonetheless, not all Kindergarten learners will be issued an LRN since they must meet the age requirement of five (5) years old to ensure school readiness. The learner should turn five (5) within two (2) months when the school year starts, or else the school will not issue an LRN. Schools will produce the LRN through the DepEd LIS portal, where they will encode the learner’s information. That’s why the DepEd LRN is essential for all learners in the Philippines.
Summary
As DepEd implements the Learner Reference Number (LRN), schools can digitalize their enrolment process, including students’ school records. The DepEd LRN is a unique number issued to every learner in the Philippines, which they will permanently use from Kindergarten to college. Moreover, public and private schools recognized by DepEd or those with permits to operate are the only ones who can issue it. Therefore, parents and guardians must ensure their children are enrolled in eligible educational institutions to guarantee the issuance of DepEd LRN.