23 Davao City inmates earn elementary, high school diplomas

Twenty-three female inmates of the Davao City Jail can now pursue college courses when they are released, after they completed the Department of Education's alternative learning system program.

 

The 23 inmates at the female dorm earned the equivalent of elementary and high school diplomas, GMA Davao reported.

 

"Sana hindi lang ito ang pagtagumpayan nila. Sana magamit nila sa araw-araw na pamumuhay lalo na sa paglabas nila magamit nila ito," said female dormitory warden Inspector Rovie Ann Noe-Alcantara.

 

Under the DepEd ALS, students can learn to read and write as well as learn skills in secondary school.

 

One of the 23 graduates is a 58-year-old inate who had been jailed for five years for a drug-related case.

 

She said she is thankful for being able to learn, with the help of fellow inmates and even jail officers.

 

"Masaya lang ako makita lang ako ng mga anak ko ... magkasama lang kami," she said. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News