Capiz to reach out-of-school children, youth
ROXAS CITY – To reach the out-of-school children and youth in Capiz, a massive campaign is being undertaken in the province.
According to Assistant Schools Division Superentendent Angelita Ragodo of Capiz Division’s Department of Education, they are now starting the family mapping of all out-of-school children and youth in the province.
She said that the mapping activity is in partnership with the various barangay officials who are utilizing their respective barangay health workers for the said activity.
Recently, DepEd Asssitant Secretary Teresita Inciong disclosed that the DepEd is in search of some 5.6 million children and youth who are currently not in school.
Inciong explained that the move is under the department's project dubbed Reaching All Children (REACH) that seeks to bring out-of-school children and youths back to the classroom through major components: Child Find and Innovative Intervention.
"We have to find them, reach them, keep them and make them complete in school," she said.
Inciong said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus' instruction is to ensure that the majority, if not all of 5.6 million out-of-school children and youths are re-educated this school year 2010-2011.
Lapus earlier directed DepEd officials to maximize the use of the country’s education resources until 2015 to achieve a 98-percent school participation rate; 81 percent universal completion of the full cycle of basic education; and an 80 MPS satisfactory achievement level by all at every grade level.
Project REACH targets children in disadvantaged or marginalized communities who are victims of exploitation or neglect and with disabilities.
Under the project, every barangay zone will post basic education-related school and community statistics for everyone accountable for the movement of children in school.
The program will be initiated by the school principal in collaboration with barangay councils who will conduct community assembly, family mapping, school barangay posting and stakeholder assembly.
Meanwhile, some barangay councils in Capiz, particularly in Tapaz town, have been implementing an adopt-a-child project, where each barangay council member and all the teachers and faculty in their school are sponsoring the school fees of children, especially the poorest of the poor pupils. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)