ALS grads to help curb unemployment

CEBU, Philippines - Some 256 students of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Mandaue City graduated yesterday morning in a commencement rites held at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Of the 256 students, 24 males and 18 females graduated from elementary level while around 240 students graduated from high school, 208 of them males and 32 females.

Ismaelita Besaville, ALS city supervisor, said that most of the graduates in the system are males because most of the school drop-outs are males who were hooked to internet surfing, among others.

Besaville said that the Mandaue City government has encouraged more out-of-school youth to enroll in ALS so they can also land on a job and lessen the city's unemployment rate.

During yesterday's graduation rites, the top 1 in the class was a 29-year-old person with disability.

Erwin Sulta said that he only reached grade 4 and has envied neighbors who are already working and this prompted him to continue his study through ALS. He topped the ALS elementary graduates in Mandaue City.

He said that he also plans to pursue his high school still through ALS.  (FREEMAN)