LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — A total of 1,956 Pangasinenses have graduated from elementary and high school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd) — 826 from the DepEd-Pangasinan Division 1 and 1,130 from Division 2.
Dr. Cornelio Aquino, chief education supervisor of the curriculum implementation division of Pangasinan 1, in an interview on Thursday, said the graduation was held last Aug. 7 for Pangasinan 2 and Aug. 16 for Pangasinan 1.
“We also have ALS graduates from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Balungao and Tayug, but their graduation was held in the facility,” he said.
Aquino disclosed that some of their graduates were senior citizens, saying that their age did not stop them from completing their education.
“ALS is an all-year-round program so those who have not yet finished their elementary or secondary education can avail of this program. With this, they can study at their favorable schedule,” he added.
Dr. Marilu Cardenas, assistant schools superintendent, told newsmen that of the 826 passers from the first division, 32 were elementary completers and 794 finished the secondary level. Thirteen of the secondary level completers are members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit who are now regular employees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while four were senior citizens.
Governor Amado Espino III, during the ceremony on Aug. 16, told the graduates to grab the opportunity to shape a better future for their family and to give back to their community. (Hilda Austria/PNA)
