LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—Governor Ramon V. Guico will enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Schools Division Office 1 Pangasinan for the implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) program for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL).
On March 4, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved a resolution to help provide opportunities for PDLs through the provision of a jail-based education program facilitated by the Pangasinan Provincial Jail (PPJ) in partnership with SDO1 Pangasinan.
ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal education. Those who cannot access formal education in schools can benefit from ALS as an alternative or substitute.
Authored by Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, the resolution stated that “the Provincial Government of Pangasinan has been determined in defining its role in continually and responsibly implementing policies, programs, and projects aimed towards promoting the well-being of the people such as the provision of educational opportunities for PDL who did not finish elementary and junior high school.”
As reported by the PPJ, there are 19 and 32 non-completers of elementary and junior high school PDL, male and female combined, who are willing to undergo the program.
“The Provincial Jail of Pangasinan is not limited to securing the safety of PDL and helping them have a second chance in life but more importantly in supporting them to become productive members of society,” the resolution cited.
“Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”
It was stipulated in the MOA that ALS teachers of Lingayen 1 and III districts will conduct learning sessions for PDL every Wednesday at the PPJ social hall.
Also, the ALS teachers shall assess the PDL learners’ performance through the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test and Presentation Portfolio Assessment (PPA).
(Ruby R. Bernardino/PIMRO)
