USAID Opportunity 2.0 Annual Report 2021

The program operates in 12 sites across the Philippines, with a focus on developing innovative educational content, equipping teachers to transition to distance and blended learning, and investing in evidence-based professional development for Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers. The program has made significant progress in developing strong partnerships with stakeholders, employers, and youth. Key advances include the development of innovative educational content, equipping teachers to effectively transition to distance and blended learning, and investing in evidence-based professional development for ALS teachers. The program has also supported the establishment of Youth Development Alliances (YDAs) in cities, capacitated YDAs with knowledge and tools to serve OSYs better, and fostered local youth champions. In terms of technical programs, the program has made progress in strengthening the capacity of national and local systems to deliver second-chance education programs for OSY. This includes developing a national M&E system, launching grants that support ALS programming for OSY, and investing in evidence-based professional development for ALS teachers. The program has also supported the development of work readiness curriculum for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), training on flexible delivery modalities for TESDA trainers, and conducting TVET inventory surveys to design capacity strategies. The program has also engaged with private sector partners to provide opportunities for youth, including work immersion, coaching, and mentoring. The year ended with a high-profile summit, "THRIVE: Investing in the Youth – Opening Doors for the New Workforce." The program has exceeded several targets, including training 1,136 educators to deliver Work Ready Now! (WRN), Work-Based Learning (WBL), and Be Your Own Boss (BYOB), and engaging 27 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and NGOs to assist in local development goals and support youth in school-to-work transition. The program has also made progress in establishing YDAs, with 8 YDAs formally established in Year 2, exceeding the Life of Project (LOP) target of 12. The program has also oriented 200 YDA representatives in the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework and approach, exceeding the LOP target of 150. The program has also supported the development of teaching and learning materials for use by partners, including DepEd ALS, TESDA, and DTI, with 37 materials created, almost doubling the LOP target of 20. In addition, the program has supported the establishment of the Bureau of Alternative Education, with two DepEd ALS policies directly influenced by O2. The program has also supported the ALS Task Force to draft the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Bureau of Alternative Education. The program has also built the capacity of 108 education administrators and officials from ALS, TESDA, and training service providers to deliver workforce development modules, exceeding the Y2 target of 100. Overall, the Opportunity 2.0 program has made significant progress in achieving its targets, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has exceeded several targets, including training educators, engaging employers, and establishing YDAs. The program has also made progress in developing innovative educational content, equipping teachers, and investing in evidence-based professional development for ALS teachers.