Evacuees from Lanao provinces enrol in govt’s learning program

ILIGAN CITY — At least 100 adult and children evacuees from Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte have enroled in the "Distance Learning Program for a Strong Republic School" of the government.

President Arroyo, who graced the opening ceremony of the "Adlaw sa Iligan" celebration yesterday, has turned over two units of Technovans for the said program.

Equipped with modern educational tools like audio-visual equipment and educational films, the technovans will be used for teaching the "3 Rs" (writing, reading and arithmetic) to student" in far-flung barangays here and in Lanao del Sur, Marawi City and Lanao del Norte, where there are no schools.

According to Datu Zamzamin Ampatuan, undersecretary of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA), the initial 100 enrolees are from the towns of Munai and Balo-i in Lanao del Norte and Marawi City.

"Para-guros" or Para-teachers will provide instruction and guide the students. Although they are not regular teachers, they are paid with honorariums, meal and transportation allowances depending on the distance of a particular barangay where they will conduct the teaching program, Zamzamin said.

At least 1,000 students from war-torn areas are the program’s target beneficiaries all over Mindanao. The program starts its focus on the Muslim communities, Zamzamin added.

"We have to focus on the Muslim communities since most of them lack education and have no access to government schools." he said. Four more Techno-vans are scheduled to be turned over to Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental provinces.