MANILA, Philippines – In the Philippines, there are a lot of out-of-school youth who end up as ‘tambays’ in the streets, spending the entire day doing nothing. Because many of them no longer want to go back to school because of their age, they grow up uneducated and aren’t likely to find a good job to support their families.
To help these young people get their lives back on track, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched the Alternative Learning System (ALS), a program designed to encourage these out-of-school youth to study and complete their basic education.
Completers of the ALS program take the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test. If they pass the high school level, they can proceed to college.
A former teacher at Calamba Elementary School ALS Center in Calamba, Laguna shared the inspiring story of a former ‘pasaway’ ALS student who impressed her by returning to the school as a licensed educator!
Ma’am Yayo Banzuela shared a lengthy post on Facebook, praising her former student Jemuel Morato who has now become a colleague.
“Sino ang mag-aakala na ang dating makulit at maingay mong mag-aaral sa ALS ay ga-graduate ng high school,” the post began.
The teacher proudly narrated that after completing ALS, Jemuel took up education and later passed the board exams on the first take!
Jemuel has since taught in two private schools: at the Morning Star Montessori School and at St. Benilde International School, both located in Laguna.
But the new educator did not forget his humble past as an ALS student; thus, he decided to give back by becoming an ALS educator!
“Ang batang hindi nakakalimot mangamusta ay bumabalik ngayon sa kanyang pinanggalingan. Hindi lang para mangamusta, kundi upang magsilbi at tumulong din sa mga dating katulad nya.
"Sobrang ipinagmamalaki talaga kita! Hindi lang kita estudyante noon, dahil alam kong magiging KATRABAHO pa kita. Masaya ako sa iyong tagumpay! Ipinagdasal ko talaga ito.
"Nawa’y maging instrumento ka din sa mga kabataang tulad mo noon ay hindi nawalan ng pag-asa at patuloy na nangarap. Maraming salamat at hindi mo kami binigo. Welcome sa Deped Calamba City! Welcome sa Als Calamba!”
Congratulations, Sir Jemuel!
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
To help these young people get their lives back on track, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched the Alternative Learning System (ALS), a program designed to encourage these out-of-school youth to study and complete their basic education.
 |
| Photo credit: Facebook / Jemuel Morato |
Completers of the ALS program take the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test. If they pass the high school level, they can proceed to college.
A former teacher at Calamba Elementary School ALS Center in Calamba, Laguna shared the inspiring story of a former ‘pasaway’ ALS student who impressed her by returning to the school as a licensed educator!
Ma’am Yayo Banzuela shared a lengthy post on Facebook, praising her former student Jemuel Morato who has now become a colleague.
“Sino ang mag-aakala na ang dating makulit at maingay mong mag-aaral sa ALS ay ga-graduate ng high school,” the post began.
The teacher proudly narrated that after completing ALS, Jemuel took up education and later passed the board exams on the first take!
Jemuel has since taught in two private schools: at the Morning Star Montessori School and at St. Benilde International School, both located in Laguna.
 |
| Photo credit: Facebook / Yayo Banzuela |
But the new educator did not forget his humble past as an ALS student; thus, he decided to give back by becoming an ALS educator!
“Ang batang hindi nakakalimot mangamusta ay bumabalik ngayon sa kanyang pinanggalingan. Hindi lang para mangamusta, kundi upang magsilbi at tumulong din sa mga dating katulad nya.
"Sobrang ipinagmamalaki talaga kita! Hindi lang kita estudyante noon, dahil alam kong magiging KATRABAHO pa kita. Masaya ako sa iyong tagumpay! Ipinagdasal ko talaga ito.
"Nawa’y maging instrumento ka din sa mga kabataang tulad mo noon ay hindi nawalan ng pag-asa at patuloy na nangarap. Maraming salamat at hindi mo kami binigo. Welcome sa Deped Calamba City! Welcome sa Als Calamba!”
 |
| Photo credit: Facebook / Yayo Banzuela |
Congratulations, Sir Jemuel!
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
