BACOLOD CITY -- Nine children in conflict with the law, detained at the city government-run Social Development Center (SDC), completed their elementary and high school education through the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test.
The graduates -- five in elementary and four in high school -- who passed the A&E examination given last March, attended the thanksgiving and graduation rites held at the SDC facility located at the Bacolod City Police compound here Friday.
Jose Dindo Villamor Jr., 18, detained since 2016 for illegal possession of firearms, topped the elementary level test in Bacolod.
Villamor, who finished only Grade 5 when he was charged and sentenced to10 to 12 years in prison, said he regretted the years that he was not able to attend school and later realized the importance of education.
With support from his mother, he decided to complete his elementary education through the Department of Education’s ALS while in jail.
Since he is no longer a minor, Villamor, who has eight siblings, will soon be endorsed to the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.
He said he will continue his studies at the RRCY.
“We want to be an inspiration to other young people. Although we are detained, we still strive to finish school. They should not waste the opportunity given to them to pursue their education,” Villamor added.
Teacher Lea Jamili Deocampo of the Virlanie Foundation, who conducts one-on-one tutorials for SDC children like Villamor, said they have a 100-percent passing rate for the March 2018 A&E test since all nine hurdled the examination.
Some of them were not interested at first because they think it is easier to earn money by doing illegal activities, she said.
“So I had to motivate them and tell them that education is important. They will have the people’s respect and will be empowered to reach for their dreams,” Deocampo said, adding that some of the children even want to become policemen or soldiers. (PNA)
