Dropout rate due to teen pregnancy, early marriage declined by 88.5% in 2023

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MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and education secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday said that the number of dropouts due to teenage pregnancy and early marriage decreased by 88.5 percent.

During her presentation of the 2024 Basic Education Report at Sofitel Hotel, Pasay City, Duterte attributed the decrease to the agency’s promotion of “Alternative Delivery Modes.”

“Through the promotion of Alternative Delivery Modes, we were able to decrease the total number of dropouts due to teenage pregnancy and early marriage by 88.85 percent,” said Duterte.

READ: Numbers fall but PH teen pregnancies persist, mirror economic, learning gaps

Alternative delivery modes refer to the nontraditional education program recognized by DepEd which applies a “flexible learning philosophy.”

READ: Verbal abuse is most reported complaint in DepEd’s helpline

According to the Vice President, reducing the number of dropouts due to teen pregnancy and early marriage is part of its efforts to strengthen mechanisms to protect learners against all forms of violence, discrimination, and dangers.

Among these is the establishment of DepEd’s Telesafe Hotline with 178 cases of child abuse resolved, so far.

Furthermore, 1,017 teen centers were reactivated for health resources and referral, as well as the establishment of child Protection Committees which would aim to teach students how to recognize violence, exploitation and sexual abuse.