by: Hilda Austria

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – His basic education was until Grade 3 only, but a 32-year-old Pangasinense persevered and obtained a diploma from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Jaymark Fontanilla’s achievement, despite poverty and other family circumstances, gained him confidence in dealing with clients as a choreographer, events coordinator and now as content creator “Mga Ka Ayuda” with 141,000 followers.

The San Carlos City native said growing up, he improved his reading and writing skills through a tutor while he worked at a relative’s household in Metro Manila.

The youngest of eight children of a farmer and a house helper, he worked to help meet the needs of his family, resulting in unfinished studies.

He later found out about the ALS program through friends but was hesitant at first because he felt he was way past school age at 30 years.

“Sabi nila mag ALS daw ako para kahit papaano makatapos ako sa pag-aaral. Sabi ko nahihiya ako. Hindi ko kasi alam ang ibig sabihin ng ALS pero sabi nila mga kagaya ko mga magiging kaklase ko (They told me to enroll in ALS so that somehow, I could get a diploma. I said I was too shy. I did not know what ALS means at that time but they said my classmates are like my age),” Fontanilla said in an interview on Friday.

He admitted that he failed his first take of the accreditation and equivalency tests, but passed the second time around.

“Iyong mga teachers ng ALS, masipag silang magturo kasi gusto talaga nila ma-ipasa mo. Salamat sa kanila (Our ALS teachers are really hard working because they really wanted us to pass. Thank you so much to them),” Fontanilla said.

Proudest Moment

His graduation ceremony at Pangalangan Community Learning Center on July 29, 2022 was one of his proudest moments, especially after encountering bullying due to his educational attainment – or lack of it.

“I was so happy back then even though I did not get an award. For me this is not just an ALS diploma as it opened a learning opportunity for me,” he said.

Fontanilla said he became more confident in himself and in the things he could still do now that he is armed with a diploma.

“I want to encourage other people who have not finished their schooling in elementary and high school to take advantage of this government program. Don’t be ashamed, age does not matter in education as long as we wanted to achieve more in life. It will open opportunities for you,” he said.

Free Program

DepEd San Carlos City Division education program supervisor Dr. Lerio Patayan, in a separate interview, said ALS can be either community-based learning or school-based.

She said interested individuals may inquire at schools in their localities and ask for requirements. They will then take the test for their assessment.

She emphasized that ALS is a free education program.

Patayan said they implement learning modalities to accommodate the schedules of working ALS students.

“Teachers meet them once a week at the community learning centers and then they have their modules for the rest of the week. Sometimes there are also online classes,” she said.

ALS is for out-of-school youth, adults and marginalized learners who did not complete basic education (elementary and high school).

“It is for those who were not able to attend formal schooling due to various factors including poverty, teenage pregnancy and illness, among other factors,” she said.

In San Carlos City, there are 18 ALS teachers who are dedicated to educating and encouraging the learners to continue until they finish their studies and pass the test to gain a diploma. (PNA)