The Department of Education (DepEd) started implementing the enhanced curriculum of the “Balik- Paaralan Para sa Out of School Adults” program on September 1.

Under the revision, additional technical subjects were made available for students to choose from. These include; automotive, electronics, cosmetics, livestock management, basic computer, entrepreneurship, cooking, electricity, garment making and business management. Students need to choose two as their technical courses.

“Actually, the enrolees are requesting if they can choose more than two technical courses [since]  they want to learn more…”, said Emerita dela Pena, head volunteer teacher.

Such request is under DepEd re-evaluation.

Dela Pena added that the adults, who at first were hesitant to participate and become students of the program, are now showing much interest. The BP-OSA in San Pablo, Laguna started in June 2000. Four out of seven enrolees graduated on the first year of its implementation.

As of the year 2012, the San Pablo, Laguna Chapter has produced 58 graduates.

The Balik Paaralan Para sa Out of School Adults is a program under the Continuing Education Program (CEP) of Alternative Learning System (ALS) under the DepEd. Out-of-school adults who enrol in the program choose between the certificate program that has five subject areas which include English, Math, Science, Filipino and Hekasi, and the diploma program has eight subject areas which include Reading, Language, Math, Science, Filipino, Hekasi, TLE, and PEHM.

Volunteer teachers of the program undergo a five-day training and one-day seminar in order to “equip them with the necessary knowledge attitudes values and skills that would ensure efficient and effective implementation of the project”.

The program is also made available to the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as a component of their rehabilitative program. As of the year 2012, there are 45 detainees who are graduates of the program.

Classes are conducted usually in the evening or early morning for three hours.