Cebu City dad wants more ALS teachers

CEBU, Philippines —  A Cebu City councilor has asked the Department of Education-Cebu City Schools division for its support to have more teachers for the out-of-school youths (OSY) to achieve more in life through the Alternative Learning System.

Close to 6,000 OSYs are currently enrolled in Cebu City, accordingly, with only around 26 teachers dedicated to their education.

Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros, who was at the DepEd-Cebu City Division office Thursday for the launching of the Cebu City Olympics, said the city needs more dedicated teachers for the ALS.

“Daghan atong out-of-school youth…unya gamay ra kaayo ang atong teachers nga dedicated sa ALS,” said Hontiveros during the launching of the event organized by DepEd-Cebu City.

Hontiveros, in an official function in Davao City last month in line with the matters of OSYs and ALS, noted that many out-of-school youths have been delayed in going to senior high school level after failing to get recommendations to go into the senior high school program on time.

“For some ALS (learners), ma-release ilang recommendation around June but naay deadline and sa voucher for senior high..so ang ALS students moingon nga next year na lang mi sa among senior high uy,” Hontiveros said.

Although Hontiveros said they will still work on a resolution in line with this request for more teachers for ALS, DepEd-Cebu City OIC-Superintendent Bernadette Susvilla already gave a positive response to it.

“We will work on that,” Susvilla said, in response to Hontiveros’ statement.

Hontiveros said he looks forward to seeing more teachers assigned to focus on ALS, explaining that there are opportunities to hone their skills and know-how and one of them is through training offered by USAID among others.

“It is a vision of Mayor Mike Rama nga no one should be left behind, so tabangan pud ni nato ang atong mga out-of-school youth,” said Hontiveros, adding they should be given the opportunity to have a better life. — GMR (FREEMAN)