The Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJDMD) was cited by the Quezon City Schools Division Office (SDO) as the top Alternative Learning System (ALS) center in the city’s fourth district after it registered more than 200 ALS passers.

The city government said on Thursday, Oct. 13, that the QCJMD landed on the top spot with 237 ALS passers, followed by the Quezon City Female Dormitory (QCFed) with 156. Krus Na Ligas High School was third with 136 passers.

It added that the QCJMD was also recognized as the third best ALS center in the division level, followed by Barangay Commonwealth (462 passers) and Ismael Mathay Sr., Highschool (243 passers).

“Binabati natin ang lahat ng nakapasang ALS students sa ikaapat na distrito ng ating lungsod, lalo na sa ating persons deprived of liberty (PDLs),” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“Umaasa ako na ito’y isang malaking hakbang tungo sa pagbabago at pag-unlad ng inyong mga buhay sa hinaharap. Magsilbi rin sana itong daan sa pag-abot ng inyong mga pangarap,” she added.

Certificates of recognition were handed over to the recipients by the SDO during the “Alternative Learning System (ALS) Gawad Parangal 202 held at the Benigno S. Aquino Elementary School last Sept. 17, according to the city government.

“The implementation of the ALS education program in jails does not only give PDLs an alternative pathway in life, but also gives them the opportunity to positively turn their dreams into visions and reality,” QCJMD warden Jail Supt. Michelle Ng Bonto said.

Bonto also thanked the mayor for championing education in jails and recognizing the importance of education as an effective rehabilitation program component for the PDLs.

The city government said that 48 Elementary and 142 Junior High School PDL passers at QCJMD were also recognized by the QC SDO last Aug. 20.

It added that there are 37 enrollees for Elementary, 90 enrollees for Junior High School, and 102 enrollees for Senior High School who have enrolled for ALS classes among the PDLs.

It also said that the QCJMD, in partnership with the with QC SDO and the Fernando C. Amorsolo Senior High School, now provides senior high school education to the PDL learners where they can choose among different learning strands on Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) certified courses including Bread and Pastry and Cookery, and Information and Communication Technology - Animation and Programming.

ALS is a parallel learning system in the country that provides opportunities four out-of-school youth and adult learners to develop basic literacy skills and to access equivalent pathways to complete basic education , according to the Department of Education.