Luistro urges DepEd officials to ensure 'Kariton Klasrum' students would finish studies

Outgoing Education Secretary Armin Luistro on Thursday urged education officials to ensure that children who finished "kariton klasrum" program will be able to graduate and achieve their ambitions.

"Huling habilin ko sa inyong mga maiiwan sa DepEd, huwag na huwag niyo silang iiwan," Luistro said in his speech during the event where those who finished the alternative learning system were formally turned over to the Department of Education.

A total of 1,267 children, ages 5 to 14 from different cities in Metro Manila, who were not able to go to regular schools managed to finish the "kariton klasrum" program.

The program was a replication of the "kariton klasrum" initiated by Efren Penaflorida of Dynamic Teen Company.

Penaflorida was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2009 because of the program where street children in Cavite were taught how to read and write and take care of themselves using materials placed in a kariton or cart.

He was present during the event.

Luistro said he will go after the education officials if they will fail to take care of the "kariton klasrum" finishers.

"Ang mga numero ay may pangalan, may mukha. Hindi lang enrollees sila, ngayon sila ay inyong kapatid. Pag may hindi naka-graduate, hindi naabot ang pangarap hahabulin ko kayo," he said.

During the program, the DepEd district and division supervisors assured the children that they will be accepted at the public schools.

"Maalab namin kayong tinatangap, mula kariton patungong klasrum," the education officials said.

Outgoing Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, who was also present during the event, said the families of the children will be transferred from being beneficiaries of modified conditional cash transfer to regular CCT since they will now be enrolled in schools.

Vice President-elect Leni Robredo was also present during the event.

She lauded the parents of the children for giving importance on the education of their children.

"Ang presensiya ninyo ay mahalaga para mabigyang pag asa hindi lamang ang inyong mga anak kundi ang bayan. Kahit maraming limitasyon patuloy kayo na nangangarap, maliliit na pagkakataong gagamitjn para sa kapakanan ng inyong mga anak," she said. — APG, GMA News