SUGPAT Power for Youth project engages Zambo del Norte ALS implementers
A total of 64 Alternative Learning System (ALS) implementers from the division of Zamboanga del Norte underwent the “Training of Trainers on Contextualization of Work-Readiness Modules” last March 12-15, 2018 at the C.T. Boulevard Hotel, Zamboanga City.
Immediately after launching the fourth cycle of the SUGPAT Program, the program rolled out its first activity, a training for the ALS implementers of Zamboanga del Norte.
“We are very excited that we are having Zamboanga del Norte, and even the region as our partner for the mission for the out-of-school youth,” Training Officer Rogin Christ Eribal said.
Eribal added that for SUGPAT’s fourth year, this is a big step for the program where it engages the ALS Implementers and those who care for the out-of-school youth in the province.
Closely working with regional trainers, these trainers lead the discussion of the modules and gave the ALS implementers the overview of each module.
To deepen their understanding of the modules, the participants were given the opportunity to volunteer to demonstrate their understanding of the module.
During the demo teaching, the ALS focal persons in the region served as observers who gave comments and points for improvement to the presenters.
This 4-day training is the phase one of the Power for Youth project where the program trains the district ALS Coordinators of Zamboanga del Norte on the Life Skills Curriculum Package with several competencies, ranging from personal development, leadership, interpersonal communication and even up to civic engagement, financial fitness, and entrepreneurship.
Enhancing the Alternative Learning System
The primary objective of the project is to enhance the delivery of ALS in the province.
Leynie Boy Bellino, Zamboanga del Norte Division ALS Focal Person said that this training could really help the teachers, in terms of capacitating them, in a way where they are able to equip themselves with certain knowledge, skills, and even values.
The training aims to ensure the link between flexible learning intervention and different platforms for youth engagement.
Eribal said, “we want the ALS learners to be ready for work, to increase their employability having learned the essential skills to make them ready for employment. And be empowered by giving them the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship.”
Next steps for Power for Youth
After the first phase of the project, SUGPAT will now train the mobile teachers of Zamboanga del Norte. The next phase will train 130 ALS Implementers with the contextualized modules of life skills curriculum package.
To make the contextualized modules, the program will be forming a working group, engaging the education program specialists in the division of Zamboanga del Norte, Regional ALS Coordinator, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s School of Education.
The contextualized modules will be the materials used by ALS implementers which are relevant to the experiences of ALS Learners in Zamboanga del Norte.
In closing, the Department of Education Region 9 Director Isabelita Borres said, “If you learn something and you use it for yourself, we call it information. But if we inform and share it that becomes education.”