CEBU, Philippines - The authorities of the Naga City Department of Education and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology yesterday paid tribute to inmates who completed their Elementary and High School level education through the (ALS).
At least 20 inmates were conferred with certificates of completion after having been confirmed as legitimate ALS graduates by the DepEd Naga City Division Superintendent Senen Paulin.
Alternative Learning System associate director Dr. Marilyn Miranda said the graduates who passed the accreditation and equivalency exam can enroll to the next level once they are released from jail.
Of the 20 inmates, six can proceed to high school while 14 detainees canenroll in college or take up vocational courses.
“Dili babag ang edukasyon bisan naa kamo sa selda. Sa higayon nga mogawas kamo, dako kaayo magamit ang inyong diploma nga nakab-ot ug mao kana ang hagdanan sa inyong kaugmaon,†Miranda told the inmates.
Naga City jail warden Dennis Alino said that for many months, mobile teachers held classes inside the city jail from 9 to 11 in the morning, Tuesdays and Fridays.
“Hinaot unta sa inyong unyang paggawas, dili na ko makakita ninyo pagbalik ug mapadayon ninyo ang inyong gitinguha nga edukasyon,†Alino said.
Jesus Giford Panuncial, 35, who was arrested for illegal drugs, said he will pursue a college.
“Dako kaayo ang akong kalipay kay sa katapusan, naka-graduate na gyud ko,†Panuncial said, who was with his mother and wife during the graduation.
He has been in jail for one year and six months now and is hoping that his case will be dismissed so he could start a new life.
Lawyer Christine Chiong, the daughter and executive assistant to mayor Val Chiong also attended the affair.The ALS is an alternative pathway of learning designed primarily to help out-of-school-youth and adults to continue learning even outside the formal school system.
It promotes basic literacy, accreditation and equivalency, and livelihood as its major programs.
This correctional facility had been institutionalized with the stated mission of providing persons in detention opportunities for development in preparation for their reentry to society as God-fearing, law-abiding, andproductive citizens and can be depended on as partners in nation-building.
Being committed to its mission, provisions from the government, NGO’s or from private entities are accepted to ensure that all avenues for inmates’ reformation and renewal are put in place. (FREEMAN)