MANILA, Philippines – March 12 is a day worth celebrating: 542 inmates in the Maximum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa graduated from the education department’s Alternative Learning System (ALS). 

With their visiting relatives in tow, the men walked up the stage, all heads held high. Outside, they did not finish elementary or high school; in prison, they finally get recognized. 

But the mood turned serious for a few minutes as Education Secretary Armin Luistro apologized to the graduates on behalf of Filipinos who had let them down, including the government. 

“Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa inyong lahat dahil ang lipunang Pilipino at ang lipunan sa mundo ay nagkulang din naman po sa inyo. Marami po sa inyo, kaya nasulsol sa masamang landas ay dahil hindi rin kayo inalagaan ng inyong pamilya, ng lipunan, ng gobyerno,” he said.

(I apologize to all of you because society didn’t do enough. Many of you were influenced to walk the wrong path because you were not taken care of by your family, your society, and your government.)

He did not exclude the country’s education sector and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Marami nga sa inyo po, hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral hindi dahil kayo’y bobo, hindi dahil ayaw niyo, kundi dahil ang sistema ng edukasyon – kasama na po ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon – ay ikinakahon ang sistema para dun sa mga kabataan na sabi natin ay ‘normal.’ Hindi po kami naging ganap sa aming tungkulin para subaybayan at gabayan kayo.”

(Many of you were not able to finish schooling not because you’re not intelligent, not because you don’t want to, but because the education system – including DepEd – limits the system to young people whom we call ‘normal.’ We were not able to fulfill our duty to look after you and guide you.)

Luistro said the graduates are in jail not only because of their own mistakes, but also because of society’s shortcomings. (READ: Making friends in jail: A mobile teacher’s story)

“Ang tingin po ng lipunan, kayo ang nagkamali, kayo ang ikukulong. Ang tingin ko po, kayo yung umamin, kayo yung handang humarap sa inyong pagkadapa, kayo yung humaharap sa mga bunga at consequence ng inyong pagkakadapa.“

(Society thinks you did wrong, and you should be jailed. For me, you were the ones who owned up to your mistakes, ready to face your failure and the consequences that go with it.)

ALS programs

It was Luistro’s first time to enter the premises of Bilibid on Thursday. He said his visit is still part of DepEd’s efforts to reach out to all kinds of learners in the country.

During Thursday’s graduation, DepEd recognized inmates who completed different ALS programs, including:

• Basic Literacy Program 
• Accreditation and Equivalency Program
• Vocational Program
  

ALS is a module-based, non-formal way to learn designed by DepEd for learners who cannot afford to go through formal schooling. (READ: Who’s excited about Saturday school?)

Addressing the ALS graduates, Luistro said they can still enjoy a different kind of freedom even behind bars – the freedom to keep learning. (READ: Are graduates of alternative high schools ready for college?)

“Ang isang pinakamagandang bunga ng tunay na kalayaan ay ang kalayaan na mag-aral kahit nasasaan ka.” (One of the best fruits of real freedom is the freedom to learn wherever you are.) – Rappler.com