National Community Immersion and Exchange Program

Executive Summary

We all know that this immersion and exchange program is a mere mechanism to provide (us) the ALS implementers an avenue for self and professional advancement. Being the key players in the delivery of Alternative Learning System programs, we are expected to reach out the OSCY and adults and provide them with basic literacy and continuing education. However, this exchange program shouldn’t end by just recruiting learners, we should also know how to understand other people’s culture, behavior and way of life. In this manner, we can truly identify the root of the problem and use it to help our clientele. It may also improve our way of understanding about the behavior of our learners and their learning.

The exchange community immersion is a great venue to broaden our perspective on our teaching. It helps not only the visiting team but also the host division for the exchange of knowledge, information and what best to do on the field.

Moreover, the weeklong activity is a lucrative opportunity for all ALS implementers to be aware on the changes of other places and the trends that always alter from time to time. It helps us adapt to every environment and reflect unto the learners and their learning levels.

                                                                                                                                                                

DAY 1

On April 24, 2011 the delegates of Community Immersion and Exchange Program from MIMAROPA Region IV-B arrived at the Dep Ed Gensan Division ALS Office where they were warmly welcomed by the ALS Gensan Family. After a short rest, the host provided a program to welcome the delegates and give them a short background about Gensan and its 26 barangays.

Aside from a words of welcome, Sir Gregorio O. Ruales, EPS-ALS of Gensan Division, inspired the delegates by sharing some stories of sacrifice and success of the DALSCs and Mobile Teachers of Gensan. He emphasized that the exchange program is not a mere community immersion but also to develop camaraderie and understanding among the cultures of both host and visiting group.

Diosdado F. Ablanido, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Gensan Division, also welcome the participants by greeting them “Magandang Gensan”. He said that immersion to other culture is another way to diminish our stereotyping and will help us understand how other people act.

A video presentation was shown which showcased the beauties and wonders of Gensan and the best practices and works of ALS Gensan throughout the years.

 

Malou Catalan, a personnel from BALS Central Office, explained to the delegates the purpose of the activity and the process for the refund of their travel.

After the sumptuous dinner was served, there were hugging, chatting and sharing among delegates and the host team that converted the entire room to a delightful aura of friendship and comradeship. Acquaintances astounded a warm welcome and smiles of gladness to a relationship built.

DAY 2

On the first day of the community immersion, the host team divided the delegates into two groups. The first group immersed at Purok Kulasi, Brgy. Labangal and the other group assigned at GK2 Promise Land, Brgy. Mabuhay, Gen. Santos City. Before the immersion, the delegates were oriented by the DALSCs of Gensan on what to do after arrival on their respective areas. The City Mayor’s Office of General Santos sponsored the transportation.

The night before the immersion, the delegates prepared their topics and visuals aid for their demonstration teaching. They arranged their topics and related exercises according to the module they will use where each member of every group contributed in making the session plan.

Upon the arrival on their respected areas, they immediately call the attention of the Purok and Barangay officials to help them identify the locations of the prospect learners. The host team explained the purpose of the activity and presented the visitors to the local officials.

The local officials of Prk. Kulasi, Labangal and GK2 Promise Land, Mabuhay assisted the mobile teachers to the house of the Out-of-School Children and Youth (OSCY). The mobile teachers visited the house of their prospect learners and encourage them to join the program.

The prospect learners were then gathered in a certain place where the mobile teachers oriented them on what the program is all about and what benefit they could get if they continue their education. Using the Functional Literacy Test (FLT), the mobile teachers identify their level of competencies and then group according to their levels

To show off how learning is more fun and motivating, the mobile teachers conducted a demonstration teaching. They mixed up the conventional interactive method of teaching and e-based strategy to attract the curious learners.  Using audio-visual presentation (AVP) as their main instructional materials, they deliver their topic intently and appealingly that makes the learners do nothing but to listen and participate.

After the teaching demo, there were a short discussions and feedbacks from the learners. Since the delegates are not the local mobile teacher in the area, they turn-over the learners to the detailed mobile teachers and assured the community that there would be a weekly session in the area.

DAY 3

Before proceeding to the next destination, the delegates made a courtesy call to Estrella C. Lariosa, CESO V, the Division Superintendent of General Santos City. Sir Gregorio O. Ruales, EPS-ALS, introduced the delegates and presented their purpose of visited to the division superintendent.

After a short talk with the superintendent, the group moved to the Maximum Security BJMP of Gensan where they meet the inmate learners. Though some of the delegates have some reservations if they will go or not, they still find that the visit with the prisoners would be a memorable one.

Upon the arrival, the warden oriented the visitors on what to do and what not to bring inside the prison house. They guided the delegates to the different learning centers in the prison house and showcased the handicrafts of their inmates.

The delegates were amazed of what they found, they said that unlike to other BJMP, the jail in Gensan is like a small busy town embraced by fortified walls. The people within the place, both inmates and guards are friendly who are fondly greeting “magandang gensan”. There are a lot of activities, some of them are busy on their small businesses, some are playing their sports, some are worshiping, some are doing their handicrafts and some are lively participating on a learning session.

On their way outside they found some women inmates wearing an ALS shirt who are busy waiving a plastic basket. They ask the learners on the effects of ALS in their lives and what changes have made to them. Some of the delegates even purchased some of their works.

DAY 4

The Community Immersion and Exchange Program was culminated through hugging, chatting, getting of cellphone numbers, vowing goodbye and sharing of good memories.

Sir Greg Ruales reminded the delegates to share to other mobile teachers what good things they get in their 3 days community immersion in Gensan. He noted that as mobile teachers helping one another is one of the keys to reform our ways of teaching and to improve it for the better of the entire society.