“We should not lose by default to this pandemic.”
This according to Quezon City 6th District Councilor Bobby Castelo who lamented that almost 3 million students dropped out of school last year because of the pandemic.
“Three million is three million. We have to get all these children back to school.”
According to Philippine Business for Education, a non-government organization engaged in education-related advocacy work, around 2.7 million children were forced to drop of school in 2020 because their families were financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Hindi po pwede na isuko natin ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan nang dahil lamang sa pandemya na ito,” said Castelo, who is on his third and last term as Councilor.
“Dapat bigyan ng prayoridad ng gobyerno ang edukasyon ng mga kabataan, lalo na iyong mula sa mga mahihirap na pamilya,” added Castelo.
The future of our country depends on the education of our population.
The blended learning system presently implemented across all schools nationwide is unfavorable to those who do not have the money for the printing of modules as well as the subscription of a stable internet connection necessary and effective in supporting distance learning or online education.
“We call on the national and local governments to allocate enough budget for education assistance, especially for those whose families cannot afford the basic requirements for blended learning,” said Castelo.
“Three million is three million. We have to get all these children back to school. The future of our country depends on the education of our population. Ipaglaban natin ang edukasyon ng kabataan,” concluded Castelo.
