5.6 million young Pinoys out of school

02/08/2009

Some 5.6 million young Filipinos, from the ages of six to 15 years, are out of school, and this will likely lead to a life of unemployment poverty and exploitation.

Dr. Teresita Inciong, assistant secretary for programs and projects of the Department of Education (DepEd), said of the 5.6 million, 2.2 million are children 6 to 12 years of age and 3.4 million are youth 12 to 15 years of age.

Inciong said drop-out rate in elementary is six percent and in secondary is 7.5 percent which are due to economic reasons, health, disabilities and school adjustments.

“We have to find them, reach them, keep them, make them complete school,” the DepEd official said in the recent 151st general assembly of the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education at Pearl of the Orient Tower Condominium on Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila.

She said her agency has launched Project REACH to obtain the following by 2015 by maximizing results of existing DepEd resources:

• 98 percent universal school participation.

• 81 percent universal completion of the full cycle of basic education.

• Satisfactory achievement level by all at every grade level (80 MPS).

Inciong said the project has put priority on children at risk in disadvantaged or marginalized communities who are victims of exploitation or neglect and who are with disabilities.

She added the project will be implemented through family mapping, school-barangay posting and community assembly.

Inciong said DepEd has existing programs and projects which are intended to be optimized, such as Pasok at Balik-Eskwela Program, food for school children, subsidy for the indigents, school health referred and social welfare program and distance and open learning.

She quoted American President John F. Kennedy as saying: “Some children are victims of fate. Let it not be said that they are victims of neglect.”

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006