Minor offenders get chance to finish high school through non-formal ed

Children in conflict with the law who were not able to pursue their education would be given the chance to finish high school through the Acceleration and Equivalency Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with the Department of Education.

The program was launched yesterday at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth in Candabong, Argao.

The non-formal education was launched three years ago, but it only provided elementary education. Modules were given to the residents of the rehabilitation center and after ten months into the studies, residents could take the Accreditation and Equivalency Examination in February. Those who passed were given a diploma confirming completion of elementary education. Last year, a total of 110 residents in the province of Cebu passed the test.

With the same procedure, the high school equivalency was formally launched yesterday. Five hundred thirty-nine modules were distributed to 10 children who already finished their elementary education. The modules included lessons from first year until fourth year high school.

"We must bring education here," DSWD regional director Teodulo Romo, Jr. said in answer to the problem in access to high school education.

It was also learned during the launch yesterday that three classrooms were newly built.

RRCY is a rehabilitation center for minors over nine years old who have committed a serious offense that they constitute a threat to the community. It was established in 1981 and provides intensive treatment for the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law in a residential setting.

Among the center's goals is to develop the capacities and abilities of the resident youth to effectively assess their potential for growth and development, to motivate and assist the residents in developing their skills in relation to other people and in performing their social responsibilities; to develop a sense of responsibility on the part of the residents towards family members and the larger community, and to provide opportunities for behavior modification, education, skills development and other useful and productive opportunities for its residents.

An interdisciplinary team composed of a social worker, a psychologist, and a house parent carries out RRCY's treatment for the children.

The rehabilitation center currently houses 56 children. The highest number of resident reached 89 in March of this year. It is the first facility throughout the country to implement the acceleration and equivalency program for children in conflict with the law. - Noreen B. Napoles