Philippine E-Journals

The Sunday High School Program in Davao City

Delia C. Advincula

Discipline: Education, Community Development

 

Abstract:

Despite basic education being free and compulsory in the Philippines, former Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz (cited in Cueto & Ricafort, 2009) notes that there is a staggering number of school-age children and youth who are out in the streets facing exploitation in all forms. The Department of Education (DepEd) reports that for school year 2007-2008, some 2.2 million children aged six to 12 years old and 3.4 million children aged 12 to 15 year old are out of school (Cueto & Ricafort, 2009). Alarmed by this, the DepEd launched the Reaching All Children (REACH) program with the aim to bring young Filipinos back to school and prepare them for tough times ahead. It is foreseen that due to the global competitive pressures and financial crisis, out-of-school are most likely to experience continuing unemployment, poverty, and exploitation.