Tubing to kindergarten

These children are remarkably tubing their way to public school in Rizal province, east of Manila, Philippines. Access to education is reportedly difficult in the Philippines, especially in rural areas, & this photo would certainly offer evidence of that. This year the K-12 educational system (used in the US, Canada, & Australia) was implemented & education made compulsory. Official figures only a few years ago showed over 27% never attended or never completed elementary school due to the lack of schools in their area, education not offered in their own language, or poverty. UNICEF estimates 85% of Filipino children are now enrolled in elementary school while only 62% finish high school. In the past few years, there have been massive protests among university students against cutbacks in higher education. (Photo by Bullit Marquez/AP)