Army, MBHTE-BARMM produce first ALS graduates in Sulu

 BASIC EDUCATION. A soldier-teacher handling Basic Literacy Program teaches Alternative Learning System students basic education in this undated photo. A total of 103 learners complete on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, their respective ALS program jointly implemented by the 11th Infantry Division and the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education in Patikul, Sulu. (Photo courtesy of the 11ID Public Affairs Office) 

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A 56-year-old housewife of Patikul, Sulu expressed elation that she was able to acquire basic education despite her age through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Manis Hasan, is one of the 103 learners who completed on Wednesday, July 21, their respective ALS program jointly implemented by the 11th Infantry Division (ID) and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) in the province of Sulu.

The 11ID, in a statement Friday, July 23, said that 62, including Hasan, of the 103 learners were completers of the Basic Literacy Program (BLP) while the remaining 41 were for the Out-of-School Youth (OSY) program.

Most of the BLP completers are elderly who were not able to acquire basic education while the OSY are teens to young adults who failed to complete their studies in regular schooling.

The ALS classes, which started on January 16, are being held every Saturday at the elementary school of Brgy. Danag, Patikul town.

Manis and her son, 22-year-old OSY program completer Almudznir, both marched on stage to receive their certificates.

“It was really chaotic here in Patikul before so I was not able to finish my studies. Now, I am happy that at my age, I still have the chance to learn. I will see my classmates every Saturday. At home, I ask Almudznir for help. I am happy because before, I can only affix my thumbmark in transactions. Now, I am able to write my name and affix my signature),” Manis said in an interview.

Another BLP completer is 16-year-old Aldaskan Mannan, who had just returned from Sabah before he enrolled himself in the ALS program.

Aldaskan and his parents moved to Sabah in 2007 to gamble for a better life.

“We returned home because the situation here is better than in Sabah. Here, we saw an opportunity to learn and my father got a chance to make living through our piece of land,” Aldaskan was quoted as saying.

Hadji Wilson Ali, Patikul East district supervisor, recognized the role of the Philippine Army in the ALS program.

“Learning here in Patikul has been problematic for a long time because of the chaos sowed by Abu Sayyaf. For a long time, the teachers cannot easily report to work over fears of being kidnapped. So, our students lost interest. Now that we have ALS here, the learners, both young and old, got interested again,” Ali said.

He added that soldiers from the 21st Infantry Battalion volunteered to be ALS instructors.

“Now, every learner is happy. The youngest is about 14 years old and if we are not mistaken, we have a learner who is over 60 years old. They are all happy as they already graduated after a long time,” Ali added.

Lt. Col. Eddie Abolencia, 21IB commander, said that it was his predecessor, Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort, who personally scouted for personnel who are capable of teaching.

The 10 selected soldiers then underwent MBHTE’s instructors’ training.

Private Edgar Ligue, a 26-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Major in Agricultural Fisheries and Arts, is one of the 10 soldier-instructors who met with the learners every Saturday since the class opening on January 16.

Ligue said the learners enjoyed being enrolled in ALS with their peers so much they look forward to taking more classes if possible.

Maj. Gen William Gonzales, 11ID commander, said that he is pleased to attend the closing ceremony as it is also his son's graduation day.

“In our area everything is online, from lectures to graduation. We are lucky here in Sulu because the risk of COVID-19 is not that high and we were allowed by the Sulu Task Force COVID-19 to have this mixed learning. Another thing is there has been no terroristic offensive by the Abu Sayyaf for almost a year. You know, even if the threat of the pandemic and terrorism is far from over, we should not set aside learning. These efforts are not easy but it’s worth it because the future of Sulu is at stake here,” Gonzales added.

Gonzales, Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini, and MBHTE officials attended the formal completion ceremony of the ALS held at Danag Elementary School. (TEOFILO GARCIA, JR., PNA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)