THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) XI and the Department of Education (DepEd) in Panabo City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a reintegration program called “Alternative Learning System (ALS) Gabay Dunong Para sa OFWs.”
Under the program, public school teachers will voluntarily teach Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)—particularly those who did not obtain their elementary, high school, or college diploma—in the Middle East via online classes, which will be performed during the teacher’s free time.
In line with this, the BDO Foundation also supported the program by turning over about 15 laptops and a P500/month WiFi connectivity subsidy to those volunteer public school teachers.
Allan Farnazo, DepEd XI director, said the program will not just help strengthen the minds of fellow Filipinos abroad, but could also contribute positively to the national development framework.
“It is also providing that appropriate dignity to every human being, as a result of the education that we have built,” Farnazo said.
DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the program will further address OFW challenges, particularly in their education qualification, which also plays a vital role in job opportunities and promotions.
“This is empowering for the migrant workers, not just in terms of credentials, stepping stone din po ito, to do further things, and it gives them the necessary confidence for having completed their educational goals,” Cacdac said.
For the part of migrant workers interested in engaging in the program, the type of assessment they’re going to receive is focused on the competency of the program, such as a portfolio assessment, not requiring them to study on a day-to-day basis.
“This is also a challenge if may resistance ‘yung employers. Most of them naman are in good foreign households,” he added.
The signing ceremony was held on Nov. 15 at the Ritz Hotel with various school division faculty from Panabo City, DMW members, and DepEd-ALS members also witnessing the said event.
