Child-Mapping Strategies: Boosting Enrollment and Retention Rates in Elementary Schools

Boosting enrollment and retention remains a continuing challenge in public elementary schools despite sustained efforts to expand access to basic education. In line with DepEd Order No. 03, s. 2018 (Basic Education Enrollment Policy), schools are mandated to implement early registration and outreach initiatives to ensure that no child is left behind, emphasizing the significance of inclusive and data-driven child-mapping strategies. This study investigated the effectiveness of child-mapping strategies in boosting enrollment and retention rates in selected elementary schools. Using descriptive-survey and descriptive-evaluative research designs, the study assessed various initiatives, including house-to-house surveys, home visitation programs, coordination with barangay officials and local government units (LGUs), daycare centers, and multi-channel enrollment campaigns. These strategies were evaluated based on their implementation and effectiveness in increasing enrollment and sustaining student retention. Data were collected from 60 respondents. Findings revealed that enrollment declined by 19.77% over the past three school years, indicating a significant drop in the number of incoming students. Despite this downward trend, retention rates remained consistently high at 98.95%, suggesting that once students are enrolled, they are likely to stay and complete their grade level. Among the various strategies evaluated, house-to-house surveys, collaboration with barangay officials and daycare centers, as well as social media marketing, were identified as the most consistently implemented and effective methods for identifying and engaging school-aged children. Additionally, parent meetings and home visitation programs played a crucial role in fostering school-community partnerships and promoting student participation. In contrast, radio and television advertisements were found to be the least utilized and least effective, highlighting the necessity for more targeted, community-oriented, and digitally driven approaches in outreach efforts. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening child-mapping strategies through collaboration with LGUs, daycare centers, and stakeholders; enhancing digital outreach; and conducting systematic house-to-house surveys. Moreover, a Child-Mapping Manual was developed as part of these efforts, offering step-by-step strategies and procedures for identifying prospective students, engaging at-risk learners, and maintaining retention.