Alternative Learning System (ALS) students enrolled in Bridge to Employment, a project of Czech Republic Embassy in Manila and World Vision, recently received school materials such as printers with inks, papers, and writing pads among others to help them with their online and module-based studies.

ALS is the Philippine government’s educational program for out-of-school youth and adult learners to learn basic and functional literacy skills that will provide them opportunities to continue and finish their education.

“Baseco is known as an urban community wherein a lot of people here need help. That’s a challenge that the school is trying to help address. We are glad that we have partners like World Vision and Czech Embassy in Manila that help our students and communities here,” said Manolo Pena, Principal of the President Corazon Aquino National High School. He further encouraged students to continue their education so they can have a better life.

“We are supporting the youth in Baseco because we believe that they have the skills to improve their lives if proper education is provided,” Jana Peterková, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Czech Republic in Manila, said.

The Embassy of Czech Republic in the Manila currently supports 80 students through the BTE project which assists out-of-school youths and young adults to continue their education through ALS and TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) courses and eventually land them a job.

Diane Lara, World Vision’s Bridge to Employment coordinator, confirms that indeed a number of youth in Baseco are willing to continue their studies given the chance.

“Students enrolled in our project are very hardworking. Some would attend their classes while taking care of their babies; some would finish their lessons before going out to sell food on the streets. These are individuals who discontinued their education due to financial and family problems and saw our project as an opportunity to continue studying again,” Lara explained.

The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed concern last year that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected around 4 million out-of-school youth who may not be able to continue their study due to lack of readiness to adapt online and blended system of learning. DepEd called on different organizations and government agencies to help promote educational initiatives beyond the formal learning set-up.

In response to DepEd’s call, the Embassy of Czech Republic in Manila and World Vision launched the BTE project to assist the youth and young adults in some of their school needs. World Vision also continues to partner with the Department of Education for its Brigada Pagbasa program which promotes literacy through reading among young children.