S. Cotabato inmates get diplomas
KORONADAL CITY, Philippines –A total of 19 inmates got their elementary and high school diplomas last week during simple graduation rites inside the South Cotabato provincial jail.
The graduated inmates, who are facing various criminal charges, were students of the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), a free education program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) and supported by the South Cotabato officials.
“Giving free education to those who have the desire to learn is part of the provincial government’s rehabilitation program aimed to give a chance to inmates to finish their schooling,†said Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez, one of the guest speakers.
Hernandez also challenged the graduates to practice the good values they learned from the ALS.
One of the ALS learning modules is preparing the inmates for their re-integration into mainstream society by teaching them positive values.
Hernandez said the interest of the inmates to learn is an indication of their desire to prepare for a better future outside. Of the 19 graduated inmates, 17 got their high school diplomas, while the remaining two were given elementary diplomas.
OIC provincial warden Felicito Gumapac said the two elementary graduates were teary-eyed when they received their diplomas, for they finally are able to read and write.
Gumapac added they realized the government cared for them by giving them free education. He said this year’s graduates were the fifth batch since the program was implemented five years ago.
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