Young inmate tops quiz bee tilt in Valenzuela

Hope springs eternal for lost souls, now changed lives, in Valenzuela City.

A city jail inmate or rehabilitation training topped the recent quiz bee for out-of-school youth (OSY), jail inmates and parolees enrolled under an alternative "learning program" sponsored by the Valenzuela City government.

Michael Kagahasin, 20, who has been committed to the city jail since he was 16 on a gang rape charge he has denied committing, topped the 2nd Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFEAE) Quiz Bee, wherein 25 OSYs and working adults from the city’s 32 barangays, including jail inmates and parolees, participated.

A 17-year-old parolee, who is listed in the Probation and Parole Office (PPO) for sniffing rugby and is under rehabilitation training, won 4th place in the same competition. The winners also received cash incentives, medals and certificates from the Office of the Mayor.

City Mayor Jose Emmanuel "Bobbit" Carlos takes pride in the NFEAE program he initiated three years ago, which has resulted in dramatic changes in the life of otherwise "lost" members of the community who are in their most productive years.

Carlos said the six-month "self-study" program is an alternative education program radically different from the regular elementary and high school system we find in the country. It aims to give another chance for OSY and adults who have stopped going to school because they have to work to survive. The program gives them a chance to study by themselves guided only by their Instructional Manager. Students under this rogram aswer modules designed by the Department of Education (DepEd) particular to their needs. Subjects taken up include Communication Skills, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking, Sustainable Use of Resources and Productivity, Development of Self and Sense of Community and Global Awareness.

Carlos said all who have finished under this program after passing the rigid tests of the DepEd twice a year have all moved on and have either gone to college or used this trainining in landing decent jobs.

Now on its third year, the program has benefited not only the city’s 32 barangays but also the inmates of the Valenzuela City Jail and parolees undergoing after-care rehabilitation. Some 20 inmates and five PPO parolees are currently enrolled in the program.