STI sets up learning centers for out-of-school Filipinos

Listed STI Educations Systems Holdings, Inc. of businessman Eusebio Tanco is teaming up with the Department of Education ( DepEd) to provide more learning centers for out-of-school Filipinos who want to complete their basic education.

STI said the partnership would provide out-of-school individuals aged 15 to 30 with an opportunity to complete their high school education in a non-formal learning environment or Alternative Learning System (ALS).

ALS is a free non-formal education offered by DepEd to help learners who wish to complete their basic education.

“Education is an important starting point for an individual to become capable and conscientious. According to UNESCO’s latest report, the Philippines has a 1.46 million out-of-school population. This sad reality has driven us to become active in helping out with DepEd’s ALS program because we want to contribute to lowering that number and educating as many Filipinos as we can,” STI president Monico V. Jacob said.

Under the ALS program, out-of-school individuals would be allowed to choose their own “learning strands” or modules as the sessions have more open regulations on the learning pace of its students.

STI is making available the use of its classrooms and computer laboratories, as well provide volunteer teachers who would facilitate the sessions.

The listed education firm said the first ALS batch in STI started last March 7 with STI employees teaching over 50 students.

“This will also be our contribution to the DepEd’s vision of zero OSYs by 2016, and it will be an achievement, not only on our part, but also for all the out-of-school Filipinos who will finally finish their secondary education and have a better prospect in life,” Jacob said.