TO PROVIDE quality education to financially-challenged students, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines launched its Education on Wheels program in Payatas and Tatalon, Quezon City last month.

EOW is a bus converted into a classroom, designed to bring college education directly to communities where people often face financial constraints and other adversities that prevent them from reaching universities.

The bus is equipped with collapsible tables, chairs, and whiteboards, and can accommodate 40-50 students. Solar panels are also installed to provide energy for air-conditioning and other electricity needs.

“Ang pinaka-primary objective nito is to bring education closer doon sa mga di makapag-aral, so since ang ating university ay free education kaya inilapit namin yung libreng edukasyon dun sa mga kabataan na hindi makapasok sa unibersidad,” PUP President Dr. Manuel Muhi said.

The classes held in Payatas and Tatalon are expansions of the program pioneered in 2020 at Smokey Mountain, Tondo.

The first module of classes in Payatas was held on January 17, 24, and 31, while in Tatalon, physical classes were launched on January 18, 25, and February 1.

All learners under the program are pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Office Administration degree.

Students from EOW are now in their fourth year of studying and are set to graduate this September 2024, according to PUP.