This initiative, which is set to benefit vulnerable populations in Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Maguindanao, will offer a second chance for out-of-school children and youth to reintegrate into formal education or develop essential employable skills.
Over the next two years, BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, will fund the program, aiming to reach 3,000 adolescents aged 10 to 19.
The initiative addresses BARMM’s high illiteracy rates, poverty, and limited access to secondary education, which are further exacerbated by armed conflict, political instability, and natural disasters.
With support from the BARMM Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, UNICEF has been working to expand ALS programs that offer flexible learning options. The partnership with BDO Foundation will broaden access to education, empower youth, and equip them with skills for a more sustainable future.
This initiative ensures that out-of-school youth, especially girls, children with disabilities, and conflict-affected individuals, receive the education they deserve, said BDO Foundation in a statement.
Through collaboration with local governments and communities, UNICEF and BDO Foundation aim to create a long-lasting impact, helping BARMM’s youth break barriers to education and achieve socio-economic mobility. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
