5.6 million children and youth not in the school

Despite Philippine public education being free and compulsory, there are still so many school-age children and youth who are out in the streets, vulnerable to exploitation.

According to the records of the Department of Education (DepEd), there are about 5.6 million children and youth who are not in school, hence, they run the risk of compromising their future.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said they have embarked on project REACH (Reaching all Children) to bring to school these children.

DepEd said that as of school year 2007-2008, some 2.2 million children aged 6-12 years old and 3.4 million 12-15 years old out-of-school youth or a total of 5.6 million are reported not to be in school.

Lapus said Project REACH relies on the support and partnership[ps with sectors to "find these children, reach them and keep them.

He said that getting children to school is already a big challenge and keeping them in school is even more challenging.

Project REACH has two major components, namely Child Find and Innovative Interventions.

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