THE SCHOOLS Division of Laoag City recently launched its Senior High School – Alternative Learning System program for out-of-school-youths and adults.

“Our ALS program is a major part of our 10-point set of agenda for the Department of Education, which we presented to the President [Rodrigo Duterte] when I assumed my term as Secretary of Education,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said during the inauguration held at the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades.

“This will bring in young learners who don’t have the opportunity to attend regular school or who cannot proceed with higher education because of other responsibilities,” the DepEd chief added.

Out of the 26 learners enrolled in the said program, nine ALS students are taking up Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing, 15 in Beauty Care and two in Agri-Crop Production.

“I’d like to congratulate our DepEd family for this initiative of inaugurating a class for 26 [learners]. I am very, very sure that they are eager learners. And, this is one of the best news on education, strengthening of the ALS program,” Briones said.

Implementers attended meetings with various barangay officials to strengthen the existing 31 Barangay Community Learning Centers.

According to the Schools Division Office of Laoag City, the ALS implementers have been coordinating with the school heads to ensure that the program is accessible to potential parent-learners.

“Laoag City is one of the six Schools Division in DepEd Region I who took the courage to pilot the Senior High School ALS, and our 27 learners here are among the 570 who are enrolled in the Senior High School ALS for the entire region,” DepEd Region I Director Tolentino Aquino said.

Aquino acknowledged the assistance of the local government units for the initiative.

The initiative is spearheaded by SDO Laoag City Superintendent Vilma Eda, and ASDS Arnel Bandiola, with the support of the DepEd Region I Director Aquino.