ALS implementers complete specialized trainings under Power for Youth Project

After a 9-month journey on specialized and needs-based trainings for Alternative Learning System (ALS) implementers, 57 ALS implementers from Zamboanga del Norte completed series of trainings under the Power for Youth Project.

Last December 9, 2021, 28 ALS teachers completed the “GoALS Program: A Capacity Development Program on Instructional Materials Development and Action Research”, while 29 ALS supervisors completed “Educational Leadership and Management Course (ELMC)”.

Dr. Eugenio Penales, Chief Education Supervisor of the Curriculum & Learning Management Division of DepEd Region IX presented the completers of the two programs.

Under the Instructional Materials Development Course of the GoALS Program, 20 ALS teachers were able to complete the course and authored Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) as a final output for the course.

“Nakatulong po sa akin ang GoALS para mas matutunan at makilala pa ang ALS, since baguhan pa lang ako sa serbisyo. Nakatulong talaga itong program na ito sa aking trabaho, lalong lalo na sa paggawa ng worksheet na makakatulong sa mga learners ko,” Daphne Verano, Dapitan City ALS mobile teacher and GoALS Instructional Materials Development Course fellow said.

Furthermore, eight ALS teachers were able to finish the Action Research Course of the GoALS Program, where the teachers presented an action research proposal as the output for the course.

“This program helps me, not just me but also my co-ALS implementers. I have shared to them every topic that we tackled in the sessions so they will also have the idea, the technique, and everything that what is offered in the program.” Jermie Cudo, GoALS Action Research Fellow and District ALS Coordinator of Gutalac District said.

SUGPAT Assistant Training Officer Abmel Immid shared that in nine months of journeying with action research fellows, the fellows have grown to appreciate action research, he said, “Looking back in the past 9 months, I have seen how our fellows have turned to appreciate what action research is, and I have seen how confident they have become in terms of sharing what they have learned, not only to their fellow implementers in their district but also in their division.”

Moreover, twenty-nine ALS Supervisors­—ALS Focal Persons and Education Program Specialists for ALS—completed ELMC, with Teachers’ Performance Evaluation Checklist as their final output.

“This program [ELMC] provided us necessary tools, teaching techniques, strategies and other initiatives that leads to a better implementation of the ALS program in our division, in which is very adaptive to the change of times,” Rodgee Pausal, ELMC Fellow and Education Program Specialist for ALS said.

Global Teacher Prize 2020 Finalist Windel Alvarez was invited as a keynote speaker for the completion rites to share inspiration with his fellow ALS implementers. In his talk, he shared his experiences and challenges as an ALS implementer himself where he has to reach out for support from both government and non-government agencies as he goes to far-flung communities to teach learners, walk kilometers to reach their learning centers, and sacrifice being away from their families.

“Ang kwento ko, ay kwento niyo rin, ang journey ko bilang guro ay hindi naiiba sa inyong pinagdadaanan. Ngayon tayo ay nasa panahon ng pandemya, higit pang nadaragdagan ang hamong ating ikinakaharap, teknolohiya, sabayan pa ang bagong kagamitan sa bagong normal, bagong estilo ng pagtuturo gamit ang teknolohiya, sabayan pa ng takot na baka mahawaan pa ng sakit. Minsan gusto na natin sumuko. Pero meron tayong pamilya na umaasa at higit sa lahat meron tayong mga magaaral na naghihintay. May mga pangarap silang dapat tuparin at may kinabukasan silang dapat harapin,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez continued, “Ngayong completion rites ninyo, bilang isa ring guro, gusto kong ipaabot sa inyo ang aking pasasalamat at saludo sa inyong walang sawang paglingkod sa ating bayan. Napapagod tayo pero magpapahinga lang. Hinding hindi susuko, para sa bayan, para sa mga bata.”

“Radikal na pagmamahal ang pinakita ninyo sa partnership na ito. Isang pandemya ang ating hinarap pero hindi kayo nagpatinag. Nagpursigi kayo,” The SUGPAT Program Founding Director Kiko Miranda said.

In her message of inspiration, Director Marilette Almayda of the ALS Program Task Force said that as teachers and implementers of the ALS, they are always on the context of continuously learning and improve themselves so that they can deliver what is expected from them. “I am proud as an official of the recently created Bureau of Alternative Education, and excited to see you develop programs, and all rearing to go back to your respective stations to be able to make wise use of the things you have learned,” she continued.

The GoALS Program and the ELMC is part of the Power for Youth Project of UNICEF and ING, implemented by the SUGPAT Program of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, in partnership with the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System in Region 9 – Zamboanga Peninsula. ##