Some may think that age is a barrier to learning. We at times may also think that learning is for the young and able. Is this necessarily true?
In the Philippines DepEd’s ALS program has shown that education is not limited to the young and able. It is and should be available to all.
A recent article from the Inquirer in the Philippines explores the story of Felicidad:
ALS is DepEd’s free education program that provides opportunity to high school dropouts get a college degree. The students are required to attend 10 months of school or 800 hours in a classroom. Their performance is then assessed.
The most prominent product of ALS is Filipino boxing icon, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who was given a high school diploma after passing the accreditation and equivalency test (AET).
In the case of Felicidad, she immediately applied for ALS when she learned about it to pick up where she left off in 1954 and fulfill a dream.
She felt that it was also time since all her children are adults and can take care of themselves although they earn meagre salaries. Her children and husband Bonifacio, now 88, were also supportive of her plan to go back to school.
“I want to prove to my family that I am still capable, that I am still strong despite my age,” said Felicidad, who added that when she was young she wanted to be a lawyer.
“It’s not work that I’m after. I want to gain more knowledge and to be a good example to my seven grandchildren,” she added.
Felicidad attended 10 months of classes in the ALS. She excelled in English because she got a lot of practice during Mormon learning in Church.
Last October, she took the AET and passed it with flying colors earning her a high school diploma that made her eligible for college.
Read the original article from the Inquirer.
What are your thoughts?