Bringing literacy to rural areas

Posted by Online on Dec 19th, 2011 // 

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino soldier-teachers popularly called “barefoot soldiers” are familiar sights in rural areas and in conflict-affected communities, especially in Mindanao. Apart from their duties to help maintain peace and order, they also provide basic literacy education to out-of-school children and young adults who, due to poverty and distance from learning centers, find it hard to enter the formal school system.

The soldier-teachers are fielded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through its Army Literacy Patrol System (ALPS). They cross rivers, climb mountains, and go to the hinterlands to teach rural folks – mostly farmers and fisherfolk and their families – the basics of writing, reading, counting, health, nutrition, values education, farming techniques, and income-generating projects, to help uplift them from the bondage of poverty and ignorance.

The ALPS program, reaching far-flung barangays with difficult terrain and accessibility and rebel-infested, is undertaken in coordination with local government units, non-governmental organizations, local chief executives, international groups, the Muslim community, and private enterprises. The curriculum was prepared in partnership with the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The program began in Central Luzon in mid-70s at the height of the insurgency. The Philippine Army focused not only on people’s safety, but also on their socio-economic development. The soldier-teachers educated farmers, tribal groups, youths and adults on the 3Rs and provided them with livelihood skills. Their efforts helped reduce illiteracy rate in far-flung barangays.

In line with the goal of “Education for All,” as envisioned in the Millennium Development Goals, the Army Literacy Patrol System is a good example of alternative basic literacy education that will empower rural Filipinos with knowledge, skills, and values that will help them compete globally. It is also designed for the betterment of poor Filipinos and their families, especially in hinterlands and conflict areas.

Related Posts:

• Raising Literacy in Schools
• Raising quality of Madrasah Education
• Helping youth in conflict-affected areas
• Toward peaceful, prosperous Filipino communities
• World Rural Women’s Day today

via tempo.com.ph

  by  cindy47452