NINE children-in-conflict with the law (CICL) from the Social Development Center (SDC) in Bacolod City graduated in elementary and high school through the Department of Education (DepEd) Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) program in the city.
The thanksgiving and graduation rites were held at the SDC facility in Barangay Taculing Friday afternoon, July 6.
Mark Philip Claridad, education program specialist of DepEd-Bacolod, said this year, a total of 317 learners in Bacolod graduated in ALS including the nine children from SDC.
He said the examination was conducted in March and all the nine children at SDC passed the examination where one of them got an average of 93.15 percent in elementary level.
“We have so many out-of-school youths here and we also need more teachers for ALS,” he added.
Claridad noted that they already requested for an additional of teachers from the local government of Bacolod.
He said he is hopeful that within this year, the city will grant their request to accommodate the out-of-school youth.
“We are praying for it because we have so many out-of-school youths here. They come and go and we cannot force them to continue their study, but we are trying our best to inspire them to finish their study so they can have a good life,” he said.
Claridad recalled that the first batch of ALS examination was conducted in 2015 and it was delayed for almost two years.
ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
Teacher Lea Deocampo of the Virlanie Foundation, who conducts tutorial for CICL at SDC, said of nine CICL, five of them graduated in elementary and four graduated in high school.
“We have a 100 percent passing rate for the March 2018 A&E test,” she added.
She said most of the children are facing charges for illegal drugs, rape, and murder.
Deocampo noted that these children can now proceed in Grade 7, senior high and college.
At first, it was very difficult to convince the CICL to continue their studies, she said, adding she has to motivate them so they will finish the course.
Jose Dindo Villamor Jr., 18, who was charged for illegal possession of firearms, got a high average of 93.15 percent in elementary level.
Villamor, who just turned 18 in January, said he is happy that he finished his elementary through ALS.
He said he was only 16 years old when he was arrested in Barangay Mandalagan for carrying an illegal firearm in 2016.
“I only finished Grade 5 and I want to finish my studies because I already realized that education is very important. I want to make my parents proud and happy,” he added.
He said that he was sentenced 10 to 12 years in prison and he is waiting for his court order to be transferred to the Regional Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Guimaras.
He said he is hopeful that there’s also an ALS there so he can finish his high school.
“I want to be an inspiration to other youth to finish their study. Do not waste your time while you are studying, always listen to our parents. I want to do good now to make them happy,” he added.
Rosalyn Robrico, SDC head, said from January to July 6, they have a total of 48 CILC, but some of them were already released while others were turned over to the RRCY.
“We are happy that nine of our children finished their studies through ALS. We are proud of them,” she said.
SDC is also conducting some training, livelihood and spiritual activities for children. They have a total of two social workers and 10 house-parents to take care the children.