News: New Implementers Complete Trainings

Future eSkwela implementers participated in the Basic Training on the Alternative Learning System (ALS) last April 20-24, 2009 at the De La Salle University. The ALS Basic Training is a pre-requisite for organizations who want to put up an eSkwela center. It acquaints the participants as to how the ALS program is implemented with emphasis on the instructional strategies that can be used in educating out-of-school youth and adults.

A highlight of the training is the immersion at Baranggay Singalong, which allowed the participants to live the life of an instructional manager (IM). During the immersion, the participants talked to the baranggay council to gain their support for the ALS program and conducted house visits to find potential learners.

At the end of the 5-day workshop 25 individuals are now considered as IMs. The new IMs came from Relief Mission International, Manchester, Operation Big Brother, Gawad Kalinga, Camp Bridge School, Quezon City Jail, San Fernando, La Union; and Holy Trinity.

The new IMs, plus DepED - San Fernando, Camarines Sur, also attended a Learning Faciliators' Training held at DMAD Laboratory, CICT-NCC Building, last May 27-29, making them full-fledged learning facilitators capable of conducting eSkwela sessions in their own localities.

- Liset

ALS Training for Instructional Managers

Liset and I participated in the Basic Training Course on Alternative Learning System (ALS) for Instructional Managers (IM). We did this so that we can further understand the ALS curriculum and its approach to teaching and learning. It is important that we truly understand ALS so that our trainings in eSkwela will really be in accordance to the ALS approach with the application of information and communications technologies (ICT). I believe this is the first time that staff from eSkwela has undergone an ALS training. Prior to the training, all we know about ALS is confined in what we read in the published materials from DepED as well as stories and anecdotes from various eSkwela and ALS implementers. Now at least through this training we gained a better understanding of what the ALS approach is, as well as the duties and responsibilities of an ALS IM.

ALS applies the principles of adult learning for teaching and learning. ALS practices the experiential learning approach, which is also known as the 4 As*, namely:

1. Activity – Through a learning activity, learners experience and acquire new knowledge and skills.
2. Analysis – Learners need time to process or analyze their experiences. New knowledge and skills have to be linked to what they already know and can do.
3. Abstraction – Through processing and analyzing their new experiences and linking them with existing experiences, learners begin to demonstrate new understandings and apply new skills through generalization or abstraction.
4. Application – Through application, learners try out new skills and learning.

This is an essential approach because the learners that come to the ALS programs are adults and they bring a wealth of experience, which, when tapped properly, can make learning effective for them. The training design for the instructional managers also applied the same principles.

We found that the teaching and learning in ALS is very flexible. There are a number of learning strategies that can be applies such as structured learning sessions, tutorials, group study, etc. The DepED Bureau of Alternative Learning System also make use of a number of instructional materials. There are print modules, audio based instruction, and the eSkwela e-Learning modules.

One of the highlights of this training is the community immersion where participants went house to house in Barangay Singalong in order to do a survey of out of school youth and adults. Here we found that we have an alarming literacy problem. In about an hour of house to house visits on a rainy summer afternoon, we found more than 40 out of school youth and adults who have not finished basic education. In every house that we went there are about 2 members of the residents who have school aged children that are out of school, or adults who have not completed basic education. Among the reasons for dropping out of school was because of peer pressure and lack of financial resources. We see that there is really a need for a program like ALS and eSkwela in order to be able to bring education especially to the underserved. After all, education is a fundamental human right (UNESCO).

Another highlight of the training was the demonstration teaching of two of the participants. Both of them prepared interesting teaching materials and learning activities that apply the principles of adult learning.

Another significant highlight of the training was the role playing activity on counseling. Counseling is seen as a very important role that an ALS IM will play as part of his/her responsibility. Counseling is helpful during the recruitment and enrollment of learners, identification of learning needs, during the conduct of actual learning sessions, evaluation of learning and after completing the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam.

The training concluded with the awarding of certificates to the participants and the awarding of tokens to our trainers from the Department of Education National Capital Region, namely Dr. Virginia Silvestre, ALS NCR Chief, Dr. Felicino Trongco, ALS NCR Assistant Chief, Dr. Baltazar Gayem, ALS Supervisor of DepED-Valenzuela City and Dr. Diosdado Medina, ALS Supervisor of DepED-Muntinlupa City.

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*From the “Handbook for the Instructional Managers in the Nonformal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) System” by the Department of Education Bureau of Alternative Learning System, Pasig City, Philippines.

Resources for the promotion of literacy

Google, LitCam and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning have collaborated to form The Literacy Project, a website containing various resources on reading and education.

In this website one can search for books, scholarly articles, videos, and innovative projects that promote literacy through the help of Google's information search features. One can also link up with educators, organizations, clubs and groups that engage in reading as well as child and adult literacy.

For more information you may visit the website of The Literacy Project at http://www.google.com/literacy/.

Shaping the Future Through Synergy

All roads led to a summer getaway at the heart of Lian, Batangas on the 31st of March.

Participants from all over the country - implementers, learners, community partners and donors, eSkwela regional coordinators, State Universities and Colleges (SUC) content developers, and module guide developers - trooped to Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel to attend the 2nd eSkwela Conference organized by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and co-sponsored by Batangas State University (BatSU).

Top Left: eSkwela Conference organizers - CICT and BatSU- get busy as participants start to register at the lobby of Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel. Top Right: eSkwela Project Manager Maria Melizza Tan delivers eSkwela Project Overview. Bottom Left: eSkwela Project Manager Maria Melizza Tan, Dr. Lloyd Espiritu of De La Salle University, IdeaCorp Chief Executive Emmanuel C. Lallana, Commissioner Consuelo S. Perez of CICT-Human Capital Development Group, Batangas State University President Dr. Nora Magnaye and eSkwela Project Officer Christina Maureen Salang pose for the camera. Bottom Right: Commissioner Perez awards Certificate of Appreciation to Keynote Speaker Ms. Evangeline Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas, Southeast Asia Policy Officer of World Wide Fund for Nature - Philippines.

The first day of the three-day event was certainly charged with energy and excitement. Almost 170 participants, many of them meeting for the first time, were expectant to get together with their fellow attendees and learn from the Conference. You could easily see eagerness from the participants, even if they just had a grueling trip from their respective residences, as well as from the organizers, who have prepared for almost three months for the Conference.

Top left: eSkwela Conference participants set action plans. Top right: Facing the open forum were Prof. Patricia Arinto of the University of the Philippines - Open University, eSkwela learner Bianca Nina Densing, Instructional Manager Irene Barzaga and eSkwela Project Officer Christina Maureen Salang. Bottom left: Rotary Club of Marikina South member Alerta Paz presents the Adopt-a-learner Program of eSkwela - Kalumpang. Bottom right: eSkwela Conference participants pose with Director Carolina S. Guerrero of the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems - Department of Education.

From the first ocular inspection to checking of the conference venue, finalizing list of participants to sending out invitation letters, design of Conference collaterals to securing all equipment, finalizing room arrangements to checking meal preparation, task briefing to dry run, distribution of evaluation forms to check out and reimbursements, the eSkwela Project team with the help of our BatSU counterpart labored to ensure the success of the Conference.

Top left: Participants are all up for fun (under the sun) during the eSkwelympics. Top right: Module guide developers dance to the tune of "Sway" during the luau. Bottom Left: Congressman Rozzano Rufino Biazon of Muntinlupa City delivers a message during the third day. Bottom right: eSkwela Project team and BatSU staff relax after the Conference.

And true to the objectives of the Conference, the event became a venue for dialogue and interaction among the different eSkwela partners and stakeholders. Concrete ideas and steps for improved project implementation were generated, and working relationships were also strengthened. The participants were able to set action plans, participate in knowledge exchanges, identify success factors, and shape the future through synergy.

2nd eSkwela Conference

Everyone's excited about the 2nd eSkwela Conference to be held week after next in Lian, Batangas.

The team is in the thick of preparations - coordinating heavily with the counterpart team from the Batangas State University, finalizing the program of activities, list of participants and Resource Persons.

Exciting. Stressful. Frustrating at times. Confusing, too.

But we are confident that we'll pull through with flying colors. Right, team?

It matters a lot that we believe in the project that we have come to love...and know that we can rely on each other to make things work, despite the numerous constraints and challenges.

To all the invited participants, we promise you an informative, fun-filled 4-day event! See you there!

- mel

Learner Interview in Zamboanga

My grandmother use to say that her kids had to go through such grueling tasks just to enter school; from selling all sorts of food products to walking hours and hours just to reach school premises. Again and again, she would point out that education is the only thing that she can give her kids once all else comes to an end for her. That was why education was, is, and always will be a big deal for us – having spent my childhood years with her and all that.

But you see I never knew first-hand how it would be to make such efforts just to enter school so most of the time I have to rely on stories in order to appreciate the value of education more and more.

So here goes one of those stories…

Just recently I had an opportunity to visit our eSkwela site in Zamboanga City and I sure am grateful to have met quite a lot of people. It was also then and there that I shared a meaningful exchange with Ate Shirley.

Ate Shirley is a third year high school drop out. Married young and now has a 4 year-old son whom she adores. She said that a few months back her husband used to work in Basilan and their family had to endure the condition of being with so many rebels hovering within the vicinity. It was only on the latter part of the year of 2008 that they decided to move back to Zamboanga and start their own sari-sari store. It was the perfect set-up since she now has it in her own hands to help settle their financial whereabouts and take care of her son at the same time. One thing was quite amiss though, somehow she wanted more.

It's a good thing that her neighbor, who's also a district ALS coordinator, told her about eSkwela. She said that she never would've thought that she'll have the opportunity to continue her studies. Armed with her notebook, pen, and sheer determination to learn she continues to strive forward for herself and her family. She then makes it a point to allot her Friday mornings to go to the center even if she had to spend sixty pesos for her back and forth fare. Indeed, looking at her discuss the Circulatory System with her seat mate while she was making notes to bring home that day placed a smile deep in my gut.

Hers is but one of the few stories that was waiting to be heard that afternoon and I did manage to hear a few more but then Ate Shirley's story was just my 'it' for the day. A classic example as to why I'd still have to salute my Lola Cion for her unwavering stance on the value education.

News: Eighth eSkwela Center Launched in Kalumpang

eSkwela – Kalumpang is the newest addition to the roster of eSkwela centers in the country.

Launched last February 2, 2009, the eighth eSkwela site serves the needs of out-of-school youths and adults residing in Barangay Kalumpang, Marikina City. Mobile teacher Ivy Coney Gamatero, who will be handling the learning sessions, is now bringing in eSkwela learners. A total of 39 learners, including Maicar Llaver, 34, a baker, enrolled in eSkwela. During the orientation of eSkwela learners, Llaver said: “Hindi na po tinapay ang hawak ko kundi computer na.”

The establishment of the eSkwela center was made possible through the efforts of CICT, ALS – Marikina City; Barangay Kalumpang; and Rotary Club of Marikina South. CICT has already provided 41 learning modules; six of which have been newly certified by ALS. ALS – Marikina City will be sending in mobile teachers, while Barangay Kalumpang will be shouldering the operational expenses of the eSkwela center. Barangay Kalumpang will also be allotting a center solely for eSkwela use.

The Rotary Club of Marikina South started new programs, which are exclusive to eSkwela learners. Rotarians will be serving as mentors, guiding the learners as they go on with the sessions, through the “Adopt-a-learner” program. They will also be giving college scholarships to eSkwela graduates, who get to pass the Accreditation and Equivalency Exam. Scholars can enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina.

Present at the eSkwela – Kalumpang launch were Director Carolina S. Guerrero of DepEd – BALS; Dr. Virginia E. Silvestre, ALS Chief of DepED – NCR; Dr. Flordeliza R. Mayari, the Schools Division Superintendent of Marikina City; Honorable Councilor Boggs S. Reyes of Marikina City; Rotary Club President Mr. Edu Magtaos; Brgy. Captain Enrico Chu of Kalumpang; and Ave Mejia, eSkwela Project Officer and CICT representative.