An inmate of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) recently topped the Alternative Learning System (ALS) exam for elementary completers, hoping education would someday remove the mark of disgrace associated with being locked up for a crime he committed.
During the ALS Completion Rites on Tuesday, William, 34, said that he did not expect to top the ALS exam in elementary in the school division in Puerto Princesa City with a general weighted average of 89.
“Nagdesisyon akong mag-aral para dagdagan ‘yong kaalaman ko hanggang sa aking paglaya at matanggal ‘yong mga diskriminasyon sa aming PDL (persons deprived of liberty) kasi sa aming paglaya, madalas na nabu-bully, minamaliit at ‘yong masamang image namin bilang preso ay gusto ko mabago. Binabawi ko siya sa pamamagitan ng pagtapos nang pag-aaral at hindi lahat ng nakakulong ay walang natututunan sa kulungan,” he said.
William was caught in Manila for peddling illegal drugs in 2013 and transferred to the IPPF in 2014.
He said he did not finish his fifth grade because he decided to work to support himself.
William is one of the 56 completers of the ALS Elementary and Junior High School from the subcolonies of the IPPF, Montible, Inagawan, and Sta. Lucia.
IPPF spokesperson and corrections technical officer II Levi Evangelista said the completers can continue their studies to senior high after they have served their sentences.
But he said they are already proposing to start the ALS senior high, hopefully, next year.
When they return to society, their ALS completion will be something they can be proud of, Evangelista said.
“Yong ating mga inaalagaan ay may mga kanya-kanyang rason at sigurado tayo na hindi nila ito kagustuhan pero sabi nga ay may reason behind that at dito nila na-serve ang purpose. Pagbalik niya sa lipunan ay maaari niya ipagpatuloy, at unang-una maipagmamalaki niya ito sa kanyang pamilya at gayon din naman kami sa Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm. Proud kami na naging part kami sa kanyang development particularly sa kanyang pag-aaral,” he said.
The city division of the Department of Education (DepEd) commended the effort of the IPPF in supporting the PDLs with their development, particularly in education.
Dr. Cyril Serador, chief of the Curriculum Division, encouraged the completers to do well because they still have a part in nation building.
Serador said that everyone deserves equal opportunity in attaining education regardless of where and who they are.
“Bawat isa sa inyo ay may karapatang makibahagi, it’s just a matter na kayo ang magde-desisyon at kayo mismo ang pumili ng option. Ang programa ng Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm kaagapay dito ay siyang magiging daan para mabigyan kayo ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang inyong kakayahan at ang inyong silbi sa komunidad at maipakita na kayo man ay mayroong magagawa at maitutulong para sa ikabubuti ito,” Serador pointed out.
Evangelista said completing their ALS will also help speed up the release of the PDLs through the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) they could receive as students.
“Sa mga kasama kong PDL, isang napakalaking opportunity o pagkakataon na makapag-aral tayo bukod sa tayo ay natututo, madadagdagan pa yong kaalaman natin maliban pa don, pati sa ugali natin may binabago rin at saka napakabilis nang paglaya natin dahil sa special GCTA na ating natatanggap bilang estudyante,” he added.
