Learners get shot at a better life

MANILA, Philippines – More than 5,000 young and adult learners, who never thought they could regain their right to education, were given recognition by the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Manila Division last Thursday.

Certificates of proficiency were given to the 5,180 learners of the ALS program, including 80 from the ABAKADAmayan’s literacy project of the STAR Group of Publications, during the 38th Recognition Day of ALS Manila at the Folk Arts Theater.

Guest of honor Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim gave out the certificates to the ALS learners, whose ages ranged from 16 to 54. He was assisted by Ma. Luisa Quinones, superintendent of city schools, and Violeta Calixtro, chief of the ALS of the Department of Education-Manila.

The ALS literacy program consists of basic literacy, elementary and secondary levels. In Manila alone, it has a total of 2,764 learners, including those from ABAKADAmayan.

The rest of the learners took up other ALS projects such as on livelihood assistance, Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) and a program for special indigents.

Adding to the joys of learning for the recipients were cash loans Lim offered during the simple ceremony, as a gift to those who want to start their own small business: an initial loan of P2,000 to be paid in six months without interest then once paid, another P4,000 loan, plus a final P6,000 loan.

In her early 20s, Myra Luna of Paaralang Lukban tearfully shared how the ALS literacy program gave her and others like her the opportunity to a better life despite past shortcomings and time wasted on old vices.

An official service provider of the ALS program, ABAKADAmayan’s Batch 5 of 80 learners is on the elementary and secondary levels. Fifty-three of them took the Accreditation and Equivalency examinations last February. Those who will pass the A&E exam, with the results coming out in May, will be given diplomas signed by the Department of Education Secretary. That same month, registration for Batch 6 is expected to open.

A&E implementers Diosalinda Pagtananan and Ren Robles, who have both been involved with ABAKADAmayan since its inception in 2003, were present during the Recognition Day.

Armed with education, Luna said she and the rest of the learners share optimism for the future and thank the implementers of the ALS program for paving the way.