KANANGA, Leyte, Philippines – Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent Sol Lumarda of the Leyte division said that there is still a substantial number of children aged six to 15 who are not in schools. This means that there are children who are supposed to attend elementary and high school but is out-of-school.
In an interview with The STAR, Lumarda said that the participating rate in secondary schools in Leyte is only 45 percent, which means that out of 100 children aged 12-15, only 45 are attending classes, while 55 of them are out-of-school. She said that this is alarming since OSY outnumbered those who are in schools.
In the elementary level, 75 percent participation rate, or only 25 percent of the children aged six-12 are out-of-school. This information was based on family mapping conducted by their department.
Lumarda said the Constitution mandates compulsory education in elementary and secondary. She admitted that there is still a need for government to do something to increase the participation rate in elementary and high school levels.
Lumarda urged local legislators to pass an ordinance in support of this constitutional mandate.
She said that despite the Constitution’s mandate of compulsory education, still the number of out-of-school youth are increasing. – Roberto Dejon