Alternative learning gives teen hope for a brighter future
A typical morning for 19-year-old Shajhana Bonso from Concepcion, Iloilo starts with preparing breakfast for her child and husband rather than preparing for school. At the early age of 17, Bonso had to set aside her dream of getting a diploma due to her pregnancy, and all the burden that comes along with being a teenage mother.
She knew for a fact that it would be challenging for her and her husband, a motorcycle driver, to provide a bright future for their child.
She believed that completing her studies is the only ticket for her to be employed and earn enough money to sustain the growing needs of her family. Regrets came every now and then for the last two years as her dream drifted away from day to day.
“Ang magkaroon ng pagkakataon na makipagsabayan sa ibang estudyante sa panahon ngayon ay napakahirap. Sa mabilis na pag-unlad ng teknolohiya, halos lahat ng output ay sa kompyuter at hindi ko kakayanin
ang gastusin sa paaralan (Going back to school today is close to impossible. With the advancement in technology, almost all our output is done using a computer and I can’t afford to pay for the school fees),” said Bonso.
Last December 2017, with the help of a friend, she enrolled in the Department of Education (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS). Since its inception, the ALS program has opened numerous opportunities for the likes of Bonso, who has limited to no access to formal basic education.
ALS educators, or mobile teachers as they are popularly known, bring literacy, basic education and useful knowledge to deprived and underprivileged Filipinos. They often brave rough roads, hike mountains or cross rivers to reach far-flung communities where they teach. They dedicate their time to fulfill their mission and to help their students achieve their dreams in life.
“Dito ko naranasan ang masayang samahan ng bawat learners. Isa sa mga nagustuhan ko ay ang pagtuturo ng aming guro gamit ang modernong teknolohiya kaya malaki ang pasasalamat
namin sa ICT [information and communications technology] package mula sa matatabang
puso ng City Savings Bank (Here I felt the joy of being in school with my fellow learners. One of the things that I like is the use of modern technology in imparting the lessons. We are very grateful for the ICT package from the generous hearts of City Savings Bank),” said Bonso.
“With this I was able to learn basic computer with the help of my teacher, which I will be able to apply once I’m employed. I also gained self-confidence as I report to and share lessons with my classmates with the use of the projector,” she continued.
City Savings has greatly supported DepEd’s ALS program since 2016. To date, the bank has donated technology tools comprising more than 250 laptops, over 240 LCD projectors, as well as external hard drives and pocket WiFi to more than 120 DepEd divisions. The tools hope to provide assistance to over 4,500 mobile teachers and their students across the Philippines.
On its third year of advocating for literacy, the bank has moved past inspiration into actively helping build communities where every child, parent and out-of-school youth has access to opportunities to elevate their lives and fulfill their dreams through education.
Bonso has set her mind toward getting her diploma soon and most importantly to become a good role model for her child and her family.