A smart age

THIS is a good time to be alive. Leaps in technology have led to such amazing developments and inventions. People can communicate in various ways with anyone in any country (at least where there is internet), healthcare and medicines are within reach of a bigger number of people, the cost of travel is no longer as prohibitive and governments are more keen on providing services to their citizens.

Almost everybody has smartphones, and anyone who has the means can drive a smart car. Plans are afoot to create smart cities, and thanks to technology, the number of smart homes — abodes guarded and watched by remote controlled cameras — is growing. Isn’t this the smart age?

Isn’t this progress? Shouldn’t Filipinos count themselves lucky?

Although not yet a First World country, the Philippines has made big strides in some areas: in technology, health care and education — especially in education.

Finally, the government’s promise of universal education, that no one would be left behind, is beginning to be fulfilled. With the many educational programs being implemented by the government, Filipinos, young or old, now have the chance to study and finish a course via a method that best suits their situation in life.

The youth of today are lucky because getting an education is no longer con

- room. These days, any place can serve as a “classroom,” and students, those who are unable to enroll in a formal/ traditional school can even choose the day and time of their “classes.”

The Department of Education ( DepEd) has rolled out several programs that cover almost every sector, from school dropouts to members of

indigenous groups.

The Basic Literacy Program, which seeks to eradicate illiteracy, targets children, the youth and adults who want to develop their skills in reading, writing and numeracy.

For school dropouts, there is the Accreditation and Equivalency Program, an alternative method of learning, under which children, youth or adults can complete elementary and high school in an informal manner.

The Alternative Learning System ( ALS) is for children and adults, who reside in remote villages where schools are not accessible. The improved version of ALS that was introduced this year not only focuses on academics, but also on life skills that aim to prepare the student for higher learning.

The ALS also has a program for Muslims — the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education. The program components cover basic literacy, accreditation and equivalency, informal education, technical and vocational education, and entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, children or adults with disabilities or those with hearing problems can have specialized lessons via sign language.

Indigenous tribes can have access to education through the Indigenous Peoples Education Project for indigent communities in the province of Ilocos

Norte, Quezon and Zambales.

To top it all, the government this year implemented the Free College Tuition program, which benefits those enrolled in state universities and colleges.

Under Republic Act 10931, or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act,” students need not pay tuition and miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges.

Students who can no longer be accommodated in public colleges can enroll in private schools and their tuition will be subsidized by the government.

There are also a number of scholarship programs being offered by local government units and local officials for poor but deserving students.

There have been complaints that the