Latest news with #AlternativeLearningSystem
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DepEd institutionalizes school sports clubs
The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered the institutionalization of School Sports Clubs (SSCs) in public elementary and secondary schools across the country. DepEd said the move aims to promote students' holistic development and physical fitness and to counteract "pandemic-driven learning loss." 'Kapag mas malusog ang katawan, mas malinaw ang isipan. Kapag mas aktibo ang mga bata, mas handa silang matuto at humabol sa anumang naiwang kaalaman noong pandemya,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. (A healthier body leads to a clearer mind. When children are more active, they are more ready to learn and catch up on any knowledge they missed during the pandemic.) 'Hindi lang ito tungkol sa paglalaro. Ito ay tungkol sa disiplina, teamwork, at tibay ng loob. Mga katangiang dapat bitbit ng mag-aaral hanggang sa tunay na buhay,' he added. (It's not just about playing. It's about discipline, teamwork, and courage—qualities that students should carry into real life.) DepEd said the SSC program complements the Physical Education curriculum with its offering of two to three hours of supervised sports activities per week. This, as DepEd cited data showing that Filipino children and adolescents fail to achieve the World Health Organization's recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. Sports clubs According to DepEd, Arnis will be mandatory, while other sports will be offered based on student interest, available facilities, and resources. Unified sports—where learners with and without disabilities are encouraged to play together— will be pushed to aim for inclusivity, strengthen friendships, and reduce bullying incidents. Membership will be voluntary and inclusive, with provisions for learners with disabilities and those in the Alternative Learning System. DepEd also said that existing sports clubs should also be aligned with the new policy, while schools without them are required to establish SSCs. Angara said investing in school sports is investing in academic performance. 'Sa bawat oras na ginugugol nila sa laro at ensayo, pinapalakas din natin ang kanilang konsentrasyon, memorya, at kakayahang magtagumpay sa klase,' he said. (With every hour they spend playing and practicing, we also strengthen their concentration, memory, and ability to succeed in class.) –VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- GMA Network
219 inmates graduate from ALS at Bansud and Cagayan de Oro City Jail
A total of 219 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Oriental Mindoro and Cagayan de Oro City completed their elementary and high school education through the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's (BJMP) Alternative Learning System (ALS) for the 2024–2025 school year. At Bansud District Jail in Oriental Mindoro, 35 PDLs graduated. According to Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, BJMP MIMAROPA Regional Information Officer, the graduation, now in its eighth year, was held under the theme 'Henerasyon ng Pagkakaisa: Kaagapay ng Bagong Pilipinas.' Senior Inspector Nelmar Malilmata, Acting District Jail Warden, praised the six elementary and 29 junior high school graduates for their hard work. He thanked ALS facilitators, education partners, and prison teachers for making the program possible. 'Through initiatives like ALS, we give hope, empower PDL-learners to rewrite their life stories, and help them become productive members of society,' Anglo said. Certificates of completion were awarded by District ALS Focal Person Francisco Alinio, with official recognition from Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Genalin Alinio. Keynote speaker Donalyn De Guzman Jamilla encouraged the graduates to continue learning throughout their lives. Meawhile, EPSA I Odesca Salazar commended BJMP personnel for implementing programs that help PDLs build better futures. The ceremony also marked the success of the Silid-Kulay ng Pag-asa classroom project, which was funded through proceeds from an October 2024 fun run. By February 2025, it had enrolled 52 PDLs, 23 in elementary and 29 in junior high school.
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- GMA Network
PDL finishes high school through ALS; ranks second
A 25-year-old man in Misamis Oriental graduated high school under the Alternative Learning System (ALS). He even finished second of his class. But unlike the 91 other graduates, Calvin John Niño Nuez was not free to celebrate however he wanted. He is a person deprived of liberty (PDL) at El Salvador City Jail. He is behind bars for carnapping and illegal possession of firearms charges filed in 2024. 'This is a testament na ang effort sa BJMP na i-develop atong mga PDL is effective dili lang sa educational program sa BJMP,' El Salvador City Jail Warden, Jail Senior Inspector Don Felix Boado, said. In his speech during the graduation, Nuez expressed his gratitude to those who supported him throughout his academic journey. He also encouraged his classmates to continue their studies so they can graduate and find decent jobs. 'Dili gyud ta motuo sa istorya nga taas na ang lubi para mo-eskwela pa ta… dili pa ulahi ang tanan… dapat kung naa ta sa jail, diha ta mokuha og kusog,' Nuez said. The jail management noted significant positive changes in Nuez since his detention. Nuez continues to receive intervention from BJMP to help prepare him for life after release. 'Kung unsa man pwede nila i-avail sa mga early releases like plea bargaining, probation, ginatabangan nato sila para mas mapaaga. Additionally, naa tay good conduct time allowance,' Boado said. Nuez took the opportunity to also ask for forgiveness. 'Mangayo ko og pasaylo ug nakita nako ninyo karon sa TV nga tarong na nagbinuotan na gyud,' Nuez said.
GMA Network
04-07-2025
- GMA Network
BJMP: 7 PDLs earn college degrees behind bars, 35 currently enrolled
Seven persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have earned college degrees while in detention, and 35 more are currently enrolled in higher education programs—part of a sweeping initiative by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to rehabilitate inmates through education, legal aid, and improved jail conditions. Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the agency is ramping up partnerships with educational and justice institutions to equip PDLs for reintegration into society and reduce repeat offenses. 'It boosts the morale, and improves the rehabilitation of the PDLs para kapag sila ay lumaya, hindi na sila mag-commit ng crime upon release,' he said. (It boosts morale and improves rehabilitation so that when they are released, they're less likely to reoffend.) Through collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the BJMP has made entrepreneurship courses accessible behind bars. 'May 35 presently enrolled behind bars, at sila ang mga naka-enroll sa entrepreneurship courses. Ito ang majority dito sa PUP, pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating Manila City Jail," the BJMP official said. (There are 35 PDLs enrolled in college, mostly in entrepreneurship courses through PUP in coordination with Manila City Jail.) Bustinera also cited support from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provide Alternative Learning System (ALS) education and vocational certifications to PDLs. 'Sa CHED, nakapagtapos tayo ng 7 PDL ng college at ongoing 30 plus na enrolled in college education.' (Through CHED, seven PDLs have graduated, and over 30 more are currently enrolled.) To support this learning, the BJMP has begun improving digital infrastructure for online and hybrid classes. 80,000 inmates released, congestion drops 296% Over the past year, more than 80,000 PDLs have been released, contributing to a dramatic 296% drop in jail congestion nationwide. 'Meron po tayong humigit 80,000 na PDL na pinalaya natin through our paralegal services. Ito po yung mga jail officers natin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga korte, sa kanilang mga abogado para mapabilis ang paglilitis ng kanilang kaso,' Bustinera said. (We released over 80,000 PDLs through paralegal services, with officers coordinating with courts and lawyers to speed up trials.) 'Bumaba ho ng 296% ang ating congestion rate. Matatandaan, galing po ito sa 314–334% last year hanggang 600% back in 2018.' (Our congestion rate dropped 296%. It was 314–334% last year and reached 600% in 2018.) The BJMP worked closely with the Supreme Court, Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and law schools under Justice Zone programs to fast-track the release of qualified or overstaying detainees. 'Ito po yung pakikipag-ugnayan rin sa ating mga korte para mabigyan sila ng hearing… at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng other modes of release katulad ng recognizance, ng bail.' (This includes coordination with courts to ensure hearings and explore other release options like recognizance and bail.) Bustinera proudly reported that BJMP now has zero overstaying PDLs under its custody. 'Wala po tayong overstaying na PDL. Lahat po na may sentensya di na po natin pinapatagal. Kung the moment na release na sila dapat lumaya na sila,' he noted. (We have no overstaying PDLs. Once a detainee has a release order, they are freed immediately.) Jail construction helps ease overcrowding The BJMP's decongestion drive is reinforced by ongoing infrastructure expansion, especially in highly congested areas. Out of 484 jail facilities nationwide, 142 are newly built, while over 40 more are under construction. 'So ito po primarily din bukod sa paralegal efforts… ito yung isang major contributor din ang pag-decline ng ating siksikan sa loob ng ating piitan,' he added. (Aside from legal aid, facility expansion is a major factor in reducing jail overcrowding.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DBM OKs creation of 16,000 new teaching positions for 2025
Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions in public schools for School Year 2025–2026. In a press release, the DBM said it is in line with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s directive to strengthen the education sector and ensure sufficient manpower in public schools. The new teaching positions form the first tranche of the 20,000 positions targeted for creation this year, the DBM said. 'The DBM's approval of the 16,000 new teaching positions is in adherence to our President's directive to strengthen our country's education system. This move is also in support of the Department of Education's efforts to boost the teaching workforce across Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and the Alternative Learning System,' Pangandaman said in a press release. The approved new positions include the following: 15,343 Teacher I posts (Salary Grade 11) 157 Special Science Teachers (Salary Grade 13) 500 Special Education (SPED) Teachers (Salary Grade 14) The DBM said that for added flexibility, the Senior High School teaching positions will be created at the division level. This will allow School Division Superintendents to transfer or reassign them to where they're most needed. The P4.194 billion needed to fund the new items will come from the Department of Education's built-in appropriations under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, which was specifically earmarked for hiring new school personnel. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
