On School Dropout
How can we
in the Philippines minimize if not totally stop school dropout? Record shows
the dropout rate among elementary school students remained steady since 2007.
Dropouts in
the elementary schools has been six (6) percent since 2008, while that in the
secondary level stayed within the seven (7) percent level since 2007.
Simply
stated, for every 1000 students who enrolled in the primary, elementary, and
secondary schools, 70 students dropped out annually. Based on the data, most of
the dropouts belong to the poorest families and who cannot afford to pay the
cost of even free basic education.
These
dropouts are destined to unemployment. If they can be employed, it will be for
low-skill jobs or those jobs where nobody dare to accept. Hence, repeating the
cycle of poverty.
According to
DepEd statistics, the dropouts for elementary are as follows: 2008 – 2009 –
6.02; 2009 – 2010 – 6.28 percent; 2010 – 2011 – 6.29 percent; 2011 - 2012 – 6.38
percent; and 2012 - 2013-6.81 percent. It steadily increased for the 5 year
period from 6.02 to 6.81 percent.
The dropouts
in the secondary level are as follows: 2007 – 2008 – 7.45 percent; 2008 – 2009
– 7.45 percent; 2009 – 2010 – 7.95 percent; 2010 – 2011 – 7.74 percent; and
2011 – 2012 – 7.82 percent. The trend among secondary school level dropouts is
going up.
On the basis
of this alarming statistics in elementary and high school students dropout,
Sen. Chiz Escudero asked the DepEd to “take a closer look and study the root
causes of why many of them end up being out of school youth.” /MP
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