By Tom Noda
Pawnshop operator and money remittance firm Cebuana Lhuillier has donated P2 million for the procurement of tech equipment and learning modules to be used in 16 new learning centers for out-of-school youths who are studying under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Alternative Learning System or ALS.
Coursed through Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI), the company is providing P125,000 for each of the 16 CLCs, or a total of P2 million, for the purchase of personal computers, printer projectors, screen laptops, sound systems, reproduction of learning modules, among others.
Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, along with DepEd officials, led the unveiling of the ALS community learning center (CLC) in Cubao on Tuesday, August 12.
The event coincided with the opening of the 15 other CLCs, namely in Negros Oriental, Pasig City, Quezon City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Benguet, Rizal, Cavite, Kalinga Province, Leyte, Davao City, General Santos City, Palawan, Aklan, and Laguna.
Lhuillier said a total of 1,373 out-of-school youth and adult learners will currently benefit from the program who will receive not only academic education but also livelihood skills and spiritual guidance.
The DepEd-Cebuana Lhuillier ALS community learning centers (CLCs) program began in November 19, 2013 with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement to establish 16 CLCs ? two for each of Cebuana Lhuillier’s eight business regions nationwide.
Under the MoA, DepEd will be responsible for the payment and salaries and other benefits of the mobile teachers to be assigned to the 16 CLCs.
CLFI executive trustee and general manager Cesar Vidal explained that in the normal ALS setting, the aim is to pass the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test to qualify the passer as an elementary or high school graduate. But in the new partnership, the parties aim to shape a well-rounded individual.
The mobile teachers from DepEd who will be assigned to teach in the CLCs are tasked to submit monthly reports about the status and registration of learners, their progress data or performance, attendance during face-to-face sessions, standing on A&E Test, and also the submission of financial reports on application of funds and final report and recommendation.
Lhuillier said the company chose to support DepEd’s ALS program since it lacked support from the private sector. He said that if the program will become successful, CLFI will continue to launch 16 CLCs every year.
“Our CSR (corporate social responsibility) thrust is focused on giving people opportunities to have basic education through the alternative learning system,” Lhuillier said.
“After graduating from high school, we can also provide them with a college scholarship grant through our scholarship program which we have been implementing since 2001.”
