Marikina presents alternative learning system for prisoners

Valuing education, the city government of Marikina in cooperation with the Life and Livelihood Assistance Foundation recently launched an Alternative Learning System for prisoners in the city.

The project, dubbed "Karunungan ay Mahalaga sa Edukasyon ay Pag-asa," aims to give prisoners a chance to study while inside the jail.

Marikina City Mayor Del Guzman said the non-formal education program will greatly help prisoners acquire new knowledge as they start anew when they leave the walls of prison.

"Even though they committed crimes and are imprisoned, they still have the right to be educated," said De Guzman.

ALS is a non-formal education where people, unable to study, will be given a chance to finish secondary education and receive diploma without undergoing regular four-year schooling.

Classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Each day has three classes with a total of 93 students. An Instructional Manager from LALAF serves as the lecturer for the ALS.

After four months, the participants will take the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Test where they will also receive a diploma.

LALAF is a non-profit organization which aims to transform the youth and communities through effective education, skills development, values education and discipleship.

One of their flagship projects is conducting non-formal education to out-of-school youth with the help of the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, the local chief executive thanked LALAF and Kagawad Mirvic Jay Sabiniano for supporting this project.

"We are aiming to further increase the literacy rate of Marikina and provide education for all," De Guzman added. - PIA — ARA