The Quezon City Schools Division Office (QC SDO) has recognized the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) as the No. 1 Alternative Learning System (ALS) Learning Center in District 4 for registering the highest number of ALS passers.
The QCJMD registered 237 ALS passers followed by Quezon City Female Dorm (QCFed) and Krus Na Ligas High School as 2nd and 3rd with 156 and 136 passers, respectively.
The QCJMD was also recognized as the 3rd Best ALS Learning Center at the Division level behind Barangay Commonwealth (462 passers) and Ismael Mathay Sr., Highschool (243 passers).
The SC SDO handed the awards on Sept 17, 2022 during the “Alternative Learning System (ALS) Gawad Parangal 2022” held at the Benigno S. Aquino Elementary School.
“Binabati natin ang lahat ng nakapasang ALS students sa ikaapat na distrito ng ating lungsod, lalo na sa ating persons deprived of liberty (PDLs),” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“Umaasa ako na ito’y isang malaking hakbang tungo sa pagbabago at pag-unlad ng inyong mga buhay sa hinaharap. Magsilbi rin sana itong daan sa pag-abot ng inyong mga pangarap,” she added.
Home to PDL learners who wish to avail of elementary and junior high school education while incarcerated, QCJMD now also provides senior high school education in partnership with QC SDO and the Fernando C. Amorsolo Senior High School.
They can now choose among the different learning strands on TESDA Certified Courses, such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Home Economics -Bread and Pastry and Cookery and Information and Communication Technology-Animation and Programming.
Being a licensed teacher and an ALS Instructional Manager, QC Jail Male Dorm Warden JSupt Michelle Ng Bonto is an advocate of peace education programs in jails.
“The implementation of the ALS education program in jails does not only give PDLs an alternative pathway in life, but also gives them the opportunity to positively turn their dreams into visions and reality,” she said.
Bonto expressed gratitude to Mayor Belmonte for championing education in jails and for recognizing the importance of education as an effective rehabilitation program component for QCitizens behind bars.
On Aug. 20, 2022, 48 Elementary and 142 Junior High School PDL passers at QCJMD were given recognition by the QC SDO. Some 37 enrollees for Elementary; 90 enrollees for Junior High School and 102 enrollees for Senior High School have so far enrolled for ALS classes for PDLs.
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