34 Mariki Sama-Badjao Learners Complete Basic Literacy Program of Floating School

THIRTY-FOUR Sama-Badjao learners received last July 3 their certificates of completion after five months of learning the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic recently.

The Basic Literacy Program was conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) – Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) in partnership with the Office for Research, Extension and Development (RED) of the University.

Fardeen S. Inyong was the BALS Mobile Teacher assigned to teach the Sama-Bajau learners in Barangay Mariki.

Zamboanga City Vice-Mayor Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe was the guest speaker of the “Completion Day”. He inspired the Sama and Bajau completers with his message. He said: “The WMSU Floating School will help you achieve your modest ambitions to alleviate your current status in life”.

Taib S. Tawasil, Barangay Chairman of Mariki, was pleased with the efforts of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) through its Floating School Project to bring education to his people. He noted that out of the many coastal barangays in the city, WMSU chose Mariki as a benefactor of its extension services. Also present was Bensali Hassan, BALS Division Supervisor, who presented the first batch of completers to Dr. Norma Vecina, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Vecina in turn represented Dr. Dolores Alcantara, OIC Schools Division Superintendent.

In her message, WMSU Vice President for Research, Extension and Development Dr. Rufina A. Cruz thanked the DepEd especially the BALS for the support extended to the WMSU Floating School. “The existence of the WMSU Floating School, which won at the People’s Choice Award in 2005 during the Panibagong Paraan, was indeed a great help for the less privileged and most deprived sector of Zamboanga City’s population- the Sama-Bajau children, youths and unschooled adults”, she added.

Prof. Lucio C. Somblingo, Dean of the Department of Extension, Skills and Community Development, assured the barangay officials that WMSU under the leadership University President Dr. Grace J. Rebollos will assist the residents of Mariki in providing livelihood skills training. He also took the opportunity to request support in terms of materials and equipment from Vice-Mayor Dalipe. (Rosthel C. Almazan/OVP-RED)

Recent Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.