LANAO DEL SUR, PHILIPPINES – Community and Family Services International (CFSI) safely delivered diplomas to the doorsteps of 289 elementary graduates from its Basic Education Project Phase Two (BEP/2).

Dubbed as “mobile graduation”, CFSI brought the ceremonial rites to the homes of the learners residing in the remote areas of Piagapo, Malabang, Tubaran, and Pagayawan towns from June to July 2020. This initiative was done owing to the suspension of mass gatherings nationwide, including graduation ceremonies, as part of preventive measures amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Photo taken during the simple graduation ceremony right outside the home of the graduating grade six learner.

CFSI’s BEP/2 follows the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) of learning of the Philippine Department of Education. ADM is a substitute approach of education delivery to children living in schoolless villages, particularly in geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). Community Learning Centers (CLCs) were developed and served as the learning facility for children.

Local teachers called Learning Facilitators were also hired to conduct classes in the communities. The local government gave monthly trainings to guide them with lesson planning and equip them with teaching and coaching approaches.

According to Asliah Andog, the chairperson of the Parents, Teachers, and Community Association in Brgy. Tapucan in Piagapo, it became easier for children to access education with CLCs available at the heart of the community. She’s proud of her two children for graduating elementary, a first in her family.

CFSI’s BEP/2 aimed to reduce educational inequality among children living in isolated areas of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and give them opportunities to pursue higher education. The project was implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE). It is part of the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao with funding support from the Australian Government through the Palladium Group. #