The Department of Education (DepEd) should conduct a targeted approach in preventing more girls from dropping out of school this year.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian made the appeal as he expressed concern over how the COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting young people, especially women, based on the latest study of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture said the DepEd should strengthen efforts to ensure that girls will have access to education amid the pandemic as it enters the final stretch of enrollment this month.

The senator said DepEd should mobilize class advisers in charge of enrollment to target vulnerable girls at risk of dropping out.

“Sa nalalapit na pagbubukas ng klase ngayong panahon ng pandemya, dapat siguruhin natin na hindi mapag-iwanan ang mga batang kababaihan dahil kung susuriin natin ang karanasan natin at ng ibang mga bansa, sila ang mas nanganganib na tumigil sa pag-aaral, (As the opening of classes nears while we are in the middle of a pandemic, we need to ensure that our young women will not be left behind in their education, because if we look into our experience and that of other countries, they are the ones at risk of dropping out of school),” said Gatchalian.

He also said DepEd should implement its Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) in a way that allows flexibility and self-paced learning, especially for women who shoulder the burden of care.

Gatchalian explained that girls’ enrollment tends to decline in the midst of crisis, pointing out that when the Asian crisis of 1998-1999 hit the Philippines,  secondary school enrollment rates fell by  eight (8) percent for girls and nearly seven (7) percent for boys.

He also said that during the Ebola outbreak, 16 percent of girls aged 12-17 in Sierra Leone were less likely to be in school when classes reopened. When this happened, the senator said the girls who dropped out of school were more exposed to teenage pregnancy, child labor, physical, and sexual abuse.

The lawmaker said girls also tend to take on the burden of care-related tasks, which affect their ability to continue their education in the long term.

“Sa mga nalalabing araw ng enrollment, dapat siguruhin natin na ang mga batang kababaihang nangangailangan ay makakapag-parehistro (In the next few days of enrollment, let’s make sure that young women who are in need will be able to register),” he said. 

“Dapat maging angkop din sa kanilang mga pangangailangan ang magiging sistema ng pagtuturo, (The teaching method to be adopted by the schools should also cater to their needs),” he added.

DepEd has extended the enrollment period in public schools to July 15. Classes are set to open on August 24.