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| The first batch of the Alternative Learning System implemented under the Expanded Education Program (EEP) of the 51st Infantry "Fuerte Uno" Battalion in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) graduate and receive their respective certificates and awards. During the ceremony, 42 learners completed the Basic Literacy Program, and 13 and 34 students finished accreditation and equivalency (A&E) elementary and junior high school respectively. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
PIAGAPO, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Alternative Learning System (ALS) students situated in the municipality of Piagapo in the province of Lanao del Sur now stand with hope after they finally marched during their graduation ceremony Wednesday, June 8.
Pursuing efforts to alleviate the literacy status of the residents in the target town, the 51st Infantry “Fuerte Uno” Battalion implemented its Expanded Education Program (EEP), and in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), it brought forth the ALS which benefited at least 42 residents who finished the Basic Literacy Program, and 13 and 34 individuals who achieved from accreditation and equivalency (A&E) elementary and junior high school, respectively.
Asliah Calandada, a 25-year old resident who finished as the 1st honor of junior high school shared how she lost hope after she was forced to stop studying when she was already in high school.
She stated that she even decided to enter early marriage which made her give birth to four children when she thought she could not proceed to college due to lack of financial support.
Calandada added that fate, however, fueled her with optimism when they were encouraged to partake in ALS, an initiative that installed them with the realization that regardless of one’s age, a person is never too late to resume her pending studies.
“Nagpapasalamat kami kasi binigyan nila kami ng chance na makapag-aral ulit. Malaking tulong ang nakuha namin sa ALS dahil madadala namin ito sa pang-araw-araw naming kabuhayan at sa future,” she said.
[We are thankful because they gave us the chance to study again. What we got from the ALS was a big help because we can use this in our day-to-day living and future.]
Meanwhile, Ma. Fatima Malaton who is 37 years old and graduated as 2nd honor of the junior high school, commended the battalion alongside the DepEd for bringing the ALS in their place.
She expressed that despite the struggle of delivering face-to-face education to their area considering their far-flung location, the implementers still pushed through with their education efforts which gave them the chance to carry on their impeded studies.
Malaton further highlighted that their soldier teachers were seen with so much zeal to teach them their lessons and with all their deeds, residents of the town would always remember the kindness extended to them.
“Malaki ang tulong nila nang dumating sila sa amin. Marami kaming natunan at parang narefresh din kami. Maraming natuwa at natuto. Ito ang remembrance namin. Hindi ito makakalimutan kahit kailan. Parang alaala talaga ito na maiiwan na kahit saan man sila magpunta ay may alaala silang naiwan sa amin,” she said.
[They were a big help when they arrived here. We learned a lot and were also somehow refreshed. A lot have been happy and learned. This will be our remembrance. They will not forget about this, ever. This will be a memory left to us that whenever we will go, this memory will also be with us.]
Following the event in Piagapo town, another same milestone will likewise be achieved by residents of Madalum town in the same province as they will soon have their graduation ceremony in the coming week. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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