“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
This famous saying by Nelson Mandela, a Former President of South Africa, was quoted by Assistant Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Antonio Dolaota when he delivered his Message of Challenge for the 32 Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) student-residents of the DSWD’s RRCY during their 3rd Commencement and 4th Moving-Up and Recognition Rites of the Special Classes. The ceremony took place on May 30, Thursday, at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) Gymnatorium in Tanauan Leyte.
Six (6) of these 32 student-residents finished their Senior High School while seven (7) were Junior High School completers. Meanwhile, 19 students from Grades 7,8,9, and 11 moved up to the next grade level under the Tanauan School of Arts and Trade (TSAT).
These students were also given recognitions such as the Award of Academic Honors; Outstanding Performance in Broadcast Media, and Productive Skills; Ambassador of Goodwill Award; Awards with Special Citation from Don Orestes Romualdez Electric Cooperative (DORELCO); Junior Chamber International (JCI) Tanauan Pasaka; and Work Immersion Completion Certificates from Haiyan Peak Hotel and Resort, and Volunteer of the Visayas.
Further, nine (9) students were awarded NC II certificates in Cookery from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Present to confer their certificates and diplomas were DSWD officials led by ARDO Antonio Dolaota; DepEd Regional Director Evelyn Fetalvero; TSAT School Principal Genelyn Cornejo; TSAT retired School Principal Dorcas Mejia; and other Project Development Officers of DepEd Schools Division of Leyte, HRMO and Board of Directors of DORELCO; SP Member of 1st District of Leyte Atty. Ronnan Christian Reposar; and Municipal Administrator of Tanauan Leyte Ret. Judge Ephraim Abando.
Under this Special Classes program of the Department of Education (DepEd) and DSWD, these CICL student-residents undergo the regular K-12 Basic Education Curriculum, with special features such as Blended Learning (face-to-face and Online), Customized Flexible Learning Arrangements for discharged students who want to stay in the program to avoid dropping out and mainstreaming where the school facilitates the transfer of students in their new schools.
Indeed, Education is a powerful tool to change the world and thus, can shape the nation’s future.
credits: Mr. Argie Mabag, Department Head- In-Charge of Special Classes, Tanauan School of Arts and Trade (TSAT)
