The Quezon City government through the Schools Division Office (SDO) is offering Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) currently detained at the QC Jail the opportunity to continue and finish their basic education.

The city government is offering different technical, vocational, and livelihood strands under the senior high school program.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said that despite their current situation, these PDLs still have the right to proper education.

“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 (It is the right of every citizen to have a proper education. Here in the city, we will not allow status or life situation to be an obstacle to not being able to study. At QC, education is equal, inclusive, and open to all),” Belmonte said.

“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 (Our institutions like the QC Jail serve as a second home for our citizens who are trying to change their lives for the better. While they are here, we help them acquire different skills that they can use in their reintegration into the community,” she added.

The city government has already signed a memorandum of understanding last week with QC Jail Male Dormitory (QCJMD) Warden JSupt. Michelle Ng Bonto, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Brian Ilan, and Fernando C. Amorsolo Senior High School Principal Mr. Larry M. Castro.

Among the senior high school strands that will be offered include Technical, Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) Strand specializing in Home Economics (HE) – Bread and Pastry Production, Cookery and Commercial Cooking; Information and Communications Technology (ICT) – Animation and Computer Programming and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).

Belmonte said that upon graduation, PDLs who have completed the program could take the competency-based assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and obtain a National Certificate Level II (NC II) once they pass.

Bonto thanked the city government for the continuous support, which, he said, help boost the capability and morale of their personnel and PDLs.

Belmonte said the senior high school program is over and above the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program for Elementary and Junior High School competencies being offered by the city to PDLs.

She said the city government is prioritizing the inclusion of technical, vocational, and livelihood training and other aftercare initiatives that will help PDLs to positively transform their lives and become productive citizens upon their release.

In August, 128 women PDLs from the QC Jail Female Dormitory finished their elementary and junior high school through ALS in partnership with the city government, the QC Gender and Development Council and the No Woman Left Behind Program. (PNA)