Additional stipend for mobile teachers sought; gov to help

CEBU, Philippines - The Alternative Learning System Cebu Province Division has asked the provincial government for an additional transportation allowance for its mobile teachers.

ALS Division consolidator Maria Daphne Daño claimed that the transportation allowance of mobile teachers is insufficient, especially for those who are assigned in far-flung towns.

“Kuwang g’yod na labi ‘na sa teacher nga moadto pa og bukid. In every municipality, na gyo’y one mobile teacher,” Daño said.

There are a total of 45 mobile teachers in the entire province who are each given a monthly allowance of P2, 000 by the Bureau of Alternative Learning System.

The Bureau, Daño added, also gives honorarium to literacy volunteers assigned in municipalities with no mobile teachers. The volunteers, she said, are passers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Some ALS teachers met Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday, who earlier expressed commitment to help.

Davide, in a separate interview, said the province is willing to help the teachers, though they are yet to study where to get the funds. The amount to be given to ALS is not yet determined.

Apart from the allowance, ALS’ request for a vehicle also got the governor’s nod.

“Luoy pod ni sila ilang sakripisyo, ilang kahago, imagine moadto’g bukid wa sila’y sakyanan. I feel kinahanglan gyod sila tagaan pod. Ako pa nang pangitaan og paagi nga mahatagan nato sila ana,” the governor told reporters.

Daño said the vehicle will be used during the conduct of evaluations to different ALS areas in the province.

“During evaluation, amo man gyod tuyokon whole province including Camotes and Bantayan Islands. Last year, personal nga sakyanan among gigamit,” she said.

ALS is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System, which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling.

ALS has also conducted programs at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC). Classes have started in January this year and will end on October.

Over 150 inmates have enrolled in the three programs provided by ALS, which include Basic Literacy Program, and Accreditation and Equivalency (A and E) tests for elementary and for secondary.

The ALS Division consolidator said that the inmates-enrollees who will pass the examination on October will automatically get a diploma and a report card equivalent to elementary or secondary.

“Kung A and E elementary level ka unya makapasar ka sa examination, you can proceed to secondary. Kung secondary level pod ka, then pwede na ka mo-enrol sa college,” she explained. —/NSA (FREEMAN)