Mandaluyong City Jail partners with LSGH for learning project
THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Mandaluyong City Jail has partnered with the Department of Alternative Education of La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) for “Liwanag Project,” a program that provides basic education and technical-vocational (techvoc) classes to persons deprived of liberty (PDLS).
The initiative benefits 57 students in elementary and 135 in junior high school this academic year. There are also more than 50 participants for the tech-voc hairdressing courses.
The monthly values-formation seminars accommodate approximately 700 inmates. In 2019 the venture commenced as a series of formation sessions when Br. Vincent Fernandez FSC, the current chairman of the Commission on Alternative Education of the De La Salle Philippines, together with Br. Ruben Caluyong FSC, who is now based at the Jaime Hilario Integrated School-de La Salle Bataan, started to conduct recollections for the PDLS of Mandaluyong City Jail.
At the onset of the pandemic, the PDLS expressed their interest to further their education. This inspired the Lasallian Brothers and the volunteer-teachers of LSGH to collaborate and elevate the sessions into full-fledged online classes for basic education and tech-voc training sessions.
The Liwanag Project, which follows the school calendar of the Department of Education, has since produced a good number of graduates: 14 for basic education, 49 for junior high school, 20 for tech-voc hairdressing, and eight for food and beverage classes.
“The project was established to fulfill the call to mission of our founder St. John Baptist De La Salle, and we have always been convinced that it will continue for as long as we are needed,” stated LSGH Alternative Learning System (ALS) Team Leader Catherine Laguitan. “We are always open to [welcoming everyone], because education is for all.”
Their department likewise keeps in touch with PDLS even after their graduation or release from jail, so they can continue their education and participate in reunions.
The Liwanag Project recently extended its efforts to San Juan City Jail for the ALS and values formation classes. It likewise facilitated recollections to personnel and PDLS of Valenzuela City Jail.
LSGH Department of Alternative Education conducts diverse programs for community learners, such as out-of-school youth and adults, students with special needs, as well as workers and domestic helpers. For more information about its advocacy, visit the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/als.lsgh/.