Introduction

Poverty has always been a major problem in every country, third world or not. We are all aware that Poverty is one of the most prevalent issues in our country. It has always been recognized as a critical social issue that must be addressed. The Philippines has been one of the poorest countries in Asia and still is to date. Its poverty rate has been steadily increasing and has skyrocketed ever since the pandemic has hit, as a result of overpopulation, a lack of quality education, unemployment, and the unstoppable issue of 
corruption. And as time passes, the number of people living in poverty in the Philippines grows. Yes, our government has taken steps to address this issue, but it is insufficient; it has not reached poor people, particularly those who live in rural areas or in mountains. Our government’s platforms, plans, and other Operation Plans (OPLAN) are insufficient to address the country’s poverty problem, (ANSAYA, 2016).

Many documentaries regarding poor people in the Philippines have helped to raise awareness among Filipinos, particularly our government, about this major and uncontrollable problem called poverty. So, we, the students of STEM 11-I, would like to make changes that will truly benefit all Filipinos, 
particularly those who are suffering as a result of it. We must move and act now, and STEM 11-I intends to alleviate poverty through making education more accessible for the youth.

Body

Poverty and learning are often talked about together, mostly because it is agreed upon that education is an avenue out of poverty. On an individual level, education can be the difference between a life below and a life above the poverty line. Poor families frequently have to choose between sending their child to school and having to meet other basic needs. Even if families do not have to pay tuition, there are additional costs such as uniforms, books, supplies, and/or exam fees. The connection between poverty and education can be seen in insufficient learning materials, makeshift classrooms, and poor school sanitation. Furthermore, children from rural areas are more than twice as likely as their urban equivalents to be absent 
from school. All of these factors make learning difficult for many children in poverty. 

Because there aren't enough resources for students to succeed, poverty has a direct impact on academic success. Numerous studies have documented the correlation between low socioeconomic status and low achievement. Moreover, the learning capabilities of our people has also affected their opportunities to have a standard and quality work in our country, since most of the high paying jobs in our country require either a degree or an educational background which needs a diploma with the minimum of a high school graduate. 

As its cure, a quality education that supports a child’s developing social, emotional, cognitive, and communication skills is needed. They can use these skills to get a job, earn higher incomes, get out of poverty, and build successful lives.

Scopes and Limitations 

The Petition entitled "Alleviating Poverty Through More Accessible Education For The Youth" aims to reach millions of Filipino individuals living below poverty. This petition is not only meant for poor Filipinos only but also the Government, The People of authority, and Filipino individuals that can make a difference.

For now, our petition is limited to the Filipino people, and hopefully we will be able to reach other countries and officials that can help make a difference and support our cause.

Solutions:

How can we Students help lessen poverty?
1. Posters and flyers. Flyers can be projected from the computer or photocopied onto transparencies for use as overheads. This is convenient if you're using flyers to supplement a more formal education or public awareness campaign involving poverty.
2. Infographics on Social media. We can use Infographics to show how poverty affects us all and how we can help lessen it. It contains information about what type of institutions or organizations can help these people. And by posting these on social media we can share this with millions of people around the Philippines or even the world.
3. Symposium. Symposium is an opportunity for individuals to come together to learn about innovative, community-driven partnerships focused on helping those in need. At each event, we explore actionable solutions and sharing of strategies focused on creating systems that are effective.4. Photos and Videos through Facebook or any social media platforms. Social media can reduce poverty by leveraging the power of information sharing to increase public involvement and awareness. By educating the public, the media can raise awareness of the three pillars of sustainable development. It can also serve as an open forum for people who have experienced poverty to share their experiences, concerns, and opinions.

How can the Government help lessen poverty? 
1. Give Job Opportunities. Not all jobs need a certificate or a Ph.D. to be qualified. We can help them if the government creates a program where homeless adults can be sanitation workers who are given minimum wages or give food and a place for them to stay in exchange for their services.
2. Greater Access to Healthcare. Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Universal Healthcare Act in February 2019. The Act enrolls citizens in the National Insurance Program and offers universal health coverage. PhilHealth will receive additional funding, which will raise 
service standards and cut medical costs. It will also create a Health Technology and Assessment Council to ensure that healthcare is effective.
3. Make sure people are paid fairly. The simplest ways to do this are to enforce strong collective bargaining and unionization policies, such as a guaranteed right to strike, protections against retaliation, and automatic union registration, and to set minimum wage levels that keep people out 
of poverty.
4. Raise the minimum wage. As prices for goods and services increase due to inflation, wages must also increase to keep up with the cost of living. Raising the minimum wage during this time is important because it will help to ensure that those who are most vulnerable to the economic impacts 
of inflation are able to make ends meet. The solutions to the problems that produce poverty are listed above, but it is crucial to first understand the 
causes of these issues. There will never be a single solution that works for everyone because poverty has diverse causes in different places. But these can significantly reduce poverty everywhere.

Conclusion

Poverty is a disease that has no cure. The more severe the disease, the deeper the wound. Poverty has become a major global issue, efforts are being made across the world today to remove this problem, but 
it does not take the name of ending. This issue has an impact on a person's economic and daily life. Children from poor families are never given a proper education, nutrition, or a happy childhood environment. Poverty 
teaches man to live like a slave in which he has to move or change place over time and experience hunger. Living in a world of poor people has become a curse. Having enough money to buy food is like breaking a 
curse for the poor. 

Lack of access to education is a major predictor of poverty being passed down from generation to generation, and receiving an education is one of the most effective ways to achieve financial stability. 
According to UNESCO data released in 2018, approximately 258 million children and youth worldwide are out of school. Children do not attend school for a variety of reasons, all of which stem from poverty. So 
we must alleviate poverty through more accessible education for the youth. Education is a right not a privilege. 

Poverty is a state that no one wants to be in, so we must move and act now, we, the students of STEM 11- I aim to create several online sources that will help promote the awareness of all Filipinos especially our government in order to do things that will mitigate and end Poverty in our Country. Our section knows that we can’t do it on our own, so we encourage you to help us make a change because if not us, then who, if not now, then when. Let us use our voices to stop Poverty and continue to end Poverty in our beloved Philippines. We believe that if we come together as one, we can end endless poverty.