UNICEF Philippines and BDO Foundation launch partnership for the benefit of youth in Bangsamoro region

UNICEF Philippines and BDO Foundation have teamed up to improve educational opportunities for out-of-school youth in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This partnership aims to allow vulnerable adolescents to reintegrate into education and develop essential skills for a brighter future.

Partnership for Education

UNICEF Philippines and BDO Foundation are partnering to expand educational opportunities
for out-of-school children, youth, and adolescents in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through the Alternative Learning System (ALS). 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.

The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank is funding the program over the next
two years. The partnership aims to address the education gap and reach 3,000 adolescents
aged 10 to 19, providing them with educational opportunities that can transform their lives.

The Harsh Reality: Educational Challenges in BARMM

BARMM faces several challenges, including high poverty rates, limited access to secondary
schools, and the highest illiteracy rate in the country. Ongoing armed conflict, political
instability, and natural disasters further exacerbate these issues, leaving many young people
–especially girls, children with disabilities, and those affected by conflict – at a significant
disadvantage. The region’s youth are also at risk of missing out on educational opportunities,
which can severely hinder their socio-economic prospects.

In response, UNICEF Philippines has been collaborating with the BARMM Ministry of Basic,
Higher and Technical Education to expand ALS programmes, which offer flexible learning
options for out-of-school youth. With BDO Foundation’s support, this joint commitment and
partnership will enhance ALS access across the region, helping vulnerable adolescents
rejoin the formal education sector, become more active in the community, and acquire the skills
and education needed for a brighter and more sustainable future.

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Empowering the Youth: A Brighter Future Through Education

UNICEF and BDO Foundation aim to address significant educational gaps in BARMM and
increase the socio-economic mobility of youth in the region. By collaborating with local
governments and communities, the initiative ensures the sustainability of ALS programmes
and delivers a long-lasting impact for the beneficiaries.