This poem describes the challenges faced by students who leave school early and the role of teachers in the Alternative Learning System in helping these students. It notes that some students come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have faced neglect, abuse, or lack of opportunities. The poem says that teachers are heroes who believe in students' potential, give them hope, and help them achieve their dreams and ambitions by guiding them on an "uncharted path" to success through education.

1. UNCHARTED PATH
Poem for Department of Education
Alternative Learning System

2. With the prevalent rise
Of school-leavers in our sight
It takes a conscious heart
To snatch them out of that plight

3. Those who have been under-privileged
From the comforts of luxury
Some are sent to exclusive schools
While others can't even survive a day

4. Some have lost their dignity
Some don't even own a thing
Some are neglected and abused
While others just plain wounded

5. They're hurting and crying in silence
You can just see it in their eyes
It takes a heart to feel the pain
It takes an action to ease the pain

6. The hidden stories of broken lives
The shattered dreams that no one knows
The falling tears that no one sees
The untold miseries from within

7. All the aspirations & dreams
All the hopes & desires
All have been awaken
Now it can come true

8. Because someone believed
There is someone who paid the price
And taught them how to be back in the
race again
And gave them wings to soar high

9. It takes a teacher
To tap one's full potential
It takes a hero
To carve it to one's heart

10. Competition may be stiff
Opportunities may be rare
But I know from within
This time they can win

11. The noble cause of touching lives
Is an honour that a teacher has
Serves as a light post to their
Uncharted path of uncertainty

12. To turn trial to triumph
For it just takes someone
To just believe
And make things happen

13. We, the teachers
Are the history makers of our country
We write the future
Right in the lives of our learners
Written by: Rimalyn Siriban
April 2007