File photo of a jail facility in Quezon City under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). INQUIRER PHOTO /NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Inmates at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) have been given an opportunity to continue their basic education, the local government said on Wednesday.
The project was possible through the first senior high school program that will be offered by the Schools Division Office (SDO).
“Karapatan ng bawat mamamayan ang magkaroon ng maayos na edukasyon. Dito sa lungsod, hindi tayo papayag na maging hadlang ang katayuan o sitwasyon sa buhay para hindi makapag-aral. Sa QC, ang edukasyon ay pantay, inklusibo, at bukas para sa lahat,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.
(It is the right of every citizen to have a decent education. In our municipality, we will not allow a person’s status or situation to be a hindrance to studying. In Quezon City, education is equal and inclusive to all.)
Under the memorandum of understanding — which was signed by the Quezon City government, QCJMD, SDO, and the Fernando C. Amorsolo Senior High School — the school will offer the following:
- Technical, Vocational, and Livelihood Strand specializing in Home Economics – Bread and Pastry Production, Cookery and Commercial Cooking
- Information and Communications Technology – Animation and Computer Programming and Shielded Metal Arc Welding
The QC inmates can then obtain a National Certificate Level II once they pass the competency-based assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
“Ang ating mga institusyon tulad ng QC Jail ay nagsisilbing pangalawang tahanan ng ating mga mamamayan na nagbabagong-buhay. Habang narito sila, tinutulungan natin sila ng iba-ibang kakayahan o skills na magagamit nila sa kanilang reintegration sa komunidad,” the mayor continued.
(Our institutions, like the QC Jail, serve as the second home of our residents wanting to start a new life. While in jail, we will help them develop skills they can use once they have reintegrated into the community.) —Catherine Dabu, INQUIRER.net trainee