A total of 274 out-of-school youths, including former dropouts, graduated yesterday under the Alternative Learning System in Dumaguete City after 10 months of attending formal classes in various competencies.

City DepEd Division superintendent Ramir Uytico said the program prepares the students to take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test or the A & E, diplomas that will be given after they pass the test.

Of the number, 22 are detention prisoners at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Bajumpandan, Dumaguete, and from the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center, one is a 33-year old farmer identified as Jessie Ogahayon from Brgy. Camanjac, who is into organic farming, and the oldest is 57-year-old Fidelina Torres of barangay Junob.

Despite her age, Torres wanted to take up culinary arts course in college and manage her own business, while Ogahayon said he will pursue high school education through ALS. He said he is happy to have finished elementary education.

Uytico said that, over the years, the passing rate is increasing and the city DepEd division is working by delivering competent instructions. He said that, starting June this year, the division will conduct target setting among school heads and ALS teachers to determine the expected output, based on the Millennium Development Goals of the government.

This year's passing rate is only 56 percent, or 274 out of the 488 ALS students.

Of the number, 27 received their diplomas in elementary, and 129 in high school.

There are 42 ALS center in Dumaguete being manned by 14 teachers. Two of the centers are inside the BJMP and the NODRC.

Uytico is also mulling the provision of hazard pay for ALS teachers, who are exposed to risks, especially during the mapping operations.*JG

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