Innovations in systems of education

By Fe Hidalgo

THE Department of Education (DepEd) aims to provide caliber education to vulnerable groups and those not reached by formal education. This will help realize greater equality in known educational outcomes through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

This is popularized by the DepEd Secretary Briones. The special groups targeted by this project are 11,343 drug surrenderers, children in conflict with the law although they are exempted from apprehension by the law on minors, something which I had spoken of for repeal; 26 rebel returnees, and 180 laborers. The planners will see to it that the ALS learners are aligned with the K to 12 plan for Basic Education to make it relevant and up-to- date. It explains the extent of the competency of ALS relates to the results of a formal school system requirement. Part of the program is the capacity building activities of the teachers and the ALS implementors.

This is extended to countries where children of Filipino migrants will have access to formal education. 100 volunteer teachers are found in Sabah. The DepEd plans to give ALS to the Marawi residents to insure education regardless of critical circumstances. Bakwits children are given Psycho Social activities to help children cope with the trauma of wars. They are provided with drawing sheets and crayons and requested to sketch what they want to draw. The psychologists will then program their debriefing methods based on what are drawn by the children.

UP Mindanao held Inaugural Lectures 2017. The lectures were on various topics on Knowledge X Change. This was held at the Audio Visual Room. The talks were given by faculty members. This caught my attention. The talk is unique in giving personal connections of speaker to an otherwise serious topic. There were talks on Contractualization: a Love Story, Minding the Energy Gap, The Secret Life of Fruits and Vegetables, The Curious Case of Matina Flooding, Wealth From The Poor Man’s Cow. Do You Want to Build A Shelter? Now you know what I mean. All those attending the lectures will not fall asleep.

The Lingap Para Sa Mahirap Program of the city government in partnership with other government agencies provides a one- stop shop medical assistance. Now it caters to 300 clients per day. This started in 2001. It has provided medicine assistance, laboratory, hospital assistance and donors for blood. Lingap coordinates with Southern Philippines Medical Center( SPMC ). DSWD also helps needy residents with the 100 million worth medical assistance from Lingap Para Sa Masa approved by the President. A 4-story building is being planned to be built in the SPMC compound.