CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office X is ramping up a localized tracking campaign to bring student beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) back into the classroom.

The proactive campaign, known as "Ali Na, Eskwela Ta" (Come on, Let's Go to School), specifically targets families whose children dropped out or failed to attend classes during the previous school year.

Hands-On Counseling and Community Aid

Run in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) in Northern Mindanao, the long-standing initiative aims to pull down dropout numbers in the immediate months following the school opening.

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The strategy relies heavily on hands-on intervention. DSWD case managers place both parents and their out-of-school children into mandatory counseling sessions, which are strategically scheduled during the annual Brigada Eskwela. During these meetings, case managers evaluate the family’s specific household struggles and connect them with external development partners for financial or livelihood aid.

Why Senior High Students Drop Out

Field data reveals that senior high school students account for the highest volume of dropouts among beneficiaries. DSWD-X noted that older youth frequently face intense economic pressure to work and help support their families, prioritizing immediate labor over long-term education. Additionally, early pregnancy remains a leading cause for students halting their education.

Aligning with National Tracking Campaigns

This regional enforcement directly backs the "Bata, Balik Eskwela" national campaign led by the 4Ps National Program Management Office. By addressing underlying socioeconomic barriers through direct counseling and targeted community aid, DSWD-X seeks to clear the path for vulnerable youth to finish their basic education.