Bongbong vows to strengthen programs for out-of-school youth

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to strengthen the government’s programs for out-of-school youth if ever he wins in the May 2022 elections.

In a press statement, Marcos said his education agenda would include strengthening the Free College Tuition Fee Act and providing funds for the stalled scholarship program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“Mahalagang tutukan natin ang problemang ito, nakakabahala na dumarami ang mga kabataan na hindi na nakapag-aaral, at dahil nga sa COVID-19 pandemic ay lumobo pa ang bilang ng out-of-school youth,” Marcos said.

(It's important that we focus on this problem because it is alarming that there are many out-of-school youth, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic their number grew even bigger.)

Marcos said under his administration, there will be construction of specialized colleges and universities, which will aid students and young people who want to study and go to college for free so that they will no longer go far away from their respective areas.

He said he is also planning to increase the number of programs that offer free online courses in different schools.

Marcos said there is a need to strengthen online courses for students to receive certificates and diplomas, as well as to provide them with more training and seminars.

"Palakasin natin ‘yung programa ng online courses, 'yung mga programa na hindi lang certificate ang matatanggap nila pati diploma na rin, para doon sa mga nakapagtapos ng online courses, depende kung ilang taon nila tinapos," he said.

"Dahil sa nagluluwag na tayo, magkaroon siguro ng mga seminars para ipaalala sa mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon at ipaalam sa kanila ‘yung mga programa at privileges na meron sila," Marcos added.

(Let's strengthen programs for online courses, programs where those who finish the course, no matter how many years it took them, can receive not only certificate but diploma as well. Since we are already loosening the restrictions, perhaps we can conduct seminars to remind the youth the importance of education and inform their about programs and privileges afforded to them.) --Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News