FORMER Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. pledged to strengthen the government’s programs for out-of-school youth should he win as president.

Citing data from the Department of Education, Marcos said he is concerned about the 4 million students who were forced to drop out from school because of the Covid19 pandemic.

“Mahalagang tutukan natin ang problemang ito, nakababahala na dumarami ang mga kabataan na hindi na nakapag-aaral, at dahil nga sa Covid19 pandemic ay lumobo pa ang bilang ng out of school youth,” he said in a statement.

Marcos said his education agenda includes the strengthening of the Free College Tuition Fee Act and funding of the stalled scholarship program of the Commission on Higher Education.

He also plans to increase the number of programs that offer free online courses in different schools.

The former senator said there is a need to improve online courses for students to acquire certificates and diplomas, as well as to provide them with more training and seminars.

Marcos noted that current programs like the Alternative Learning System and vocational courses by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority could also help the youth.

“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,” he added.