‘Kasambahay’ earns HS diploma

OPEN HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM Working full-time as house help did not stop Rodora Rodriguez, 27, from earning a high school diploma, graduating at the top of her class at QuezonNational High School in Lucena City. ARNOLD ALMACEN

At 19, with only an elementary school diploma to her name, Rodora T. Rodriguez left Camarines Sur to work as a “kasambahay” with a couple who were also from the same province.

Rodriguez, the 11th of 16 children, decided there was not enough money in the family for her to continue her studies and, after graduating from elementary school in 2001, made getting a job her priority to help in the upkeep of her siblings. A family friend, who was related to

Jason and Maria Cristina Terrenal, who were starting a family, recommended her for the job of kasambahay to help with the housework and the care of their newborn son. 

Then a few years ago, an acquaintance told Rodriguez of Quezon National High School’s  (QNHS) Open High School (OHS) Program. With her ward starting his schooling, Rodriguez considered the idea of getting a high school diploma.

The Terrenals were all for it. “I was encouraged to study by my employers. They told me I could not be a household help forever,” Rodriguez said in Filipino. Her parents also encouraged her to take advantage of the opportunity to study through the OHS, as it was for her own good.

Rodriguez returned to school as a high school freshman four years ago and, on March 27, at 27 years of age, she graduated at the top of her OHS class of 75 students and marched with the more than 1,900 members of Class 2015 of QNHS. It was the last graduation for QNHS, as the country shifts to the K to 12 (Kindergarten to Grade 12) basic education curriculum starting next year.

Doing modules

Rodriguez said the OHS program was ideal for working students like her. “We met once a week then worked on modules at home. I could do my job, as I studied,” she said. “I was determined to finish so I could aspire for a better life.”