The World's Most Dangerous Ways to School

Introduction

• Dangerous Journeys: Children risk their lives to attend school in challenging environments.
• Focus on Zamboanga del Norte: A peninsula in the southern Philippines known for its perilous school routes.

Overview of the Region

• Geography: Located in the heart of mountains, surrounded by dense rainforest.
• Education Challenges: Many students face extreme difficulties accessing education due to geography.

Daily Life of Students

• Aida Proceso: Mother of Ivy, wakes the family at dawn for school preparations.
  • Breakfast typically consists of rice, fish, and moringa.
  • Family lives in poverty, with 86% of the population facing similar conditions.
• Ivy’s Journey: 11-year-old Ivy walks uphill through the jungle as there are no schools near her home.

Life of Ryan

• Ryan’s Background: 12-year-old boy living high in the mountains, responsible for fetching water before school.
  • Family supported by a small allowance from his father in Manila.
  • Dreams of becoming an engineer to improve his family's situation.
• Challenges: Ryan faces loneliness, as his friends live far away. He navigates difficult terrain to attend Oro Elementary and High School.

The Dangerous Route

• Pampang: A steep, rocky wall children must climb daily.
  • Many accidents have occurred here, making it a risky shortcut.
  • Local children form groups to navigate the route together for safety.
• Time Constraints: Students need to hurry to reach school on time, adding pressure to their already challenging journey.

Education System

• School Structure: Oro has primary and secondary schools catering to about 340 students.
• Attendance Issues: Many students are often late due to long and treacherous journeys.

Daily Activities at School

• Classes: Curriculum includes math, English, social studies, and science.
  • Students who arrive late often miss important lessons.
• Teacher's Perspective: Frederick, the principal, understands the challenges and tries to accommodate late arrivals by providing extra help.

Conclusion

• Resilience: Despite the dangers, children continue to pursue their education, driven by dreams of a better future.
  • The daily journeys are a testament to their determination and hope for education to break the cycle of poverty.
• Future Aspirations: Both Ivy and Ryan hold onto dreams that education might help them achieve better lives.