In a strategic move to enhance educational access for out-of-school youth and adults, the City College of Cagayan de Oro introduced three innovative Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs during a stakeholdersโ session titled โALS in City College,โ held at the DepEd Cagayan de Oro Function Room on May 21, 2025. Leading the presentation were Dr. Ray Butch Mahinay, Vice President for Extension and Social Development Services, and Ms. Herna Francis Mae Tano, Director for Extension and Outreach. They shared the institutionโs commitment to supporting ALS implementation through three community-rooted programs:
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฝ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป๐ด: ๐๐ป ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บโ for teachers, focusing on reflective practice and evidence-based teaching. ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐: ๐๐ป ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐บ๐โ designed to support learnersโ academic readiness and foundational competencies. ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐: ๐๐ป ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ฒ๐โ that empowers learners to explore future pathways through guided planning and career envisioning.
โThese programs are grounded in our belief that ALS should not just be a second-chance systemโit should be a transformative space for both learners and teachers,โ said Dr. Mahinay. โWe aim to support ALS teachers in becoming reflective practitioners while opening realistic and empowering pathways for learners.โ Ms. Tano emphasized the spirit of collaboration saying, โThis is not just a City College initiativeโitโs a community endeavor. We are grateful for the presence and insights of our partners in making ALS more responsive and inclusive.โ The activity gathered key ALS implementers and partners, including ALS teachers and representatives from BJMP CDO City Jail, DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Xavier University Night School Program, PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, Island Kids Foundation, and other stakeholders. The session served as a consultation and planning platform for co-developing the next steps in implementing these initiatives. These projects align with national goals of lifelong learning and inclusive education under Republic Act No. 11510, or the ALS Act.
The City College of Cagayan de Oro, through its Center for Alternative Learning System (CALS) and Extension and Outreach Office (EOO), is set to pilot the programs from August 2025 to January 2026 in close coordination with DepEd CDO and local partner institutions. #AimHigher