Norhaina Butuan, a Person with Disability (PWD), completes the Bangsamoro Government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) program on July 26, 2023 at Shariff Aguak Gymnasium in Maguindanao del Sur. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE—In the heart of Maguindanao del Sur, a story of resilience and determination shines brightly, encapsulating the transformative impact of education on individual lives.
Meet Norhaina Butuan, an 18-year-old graduate of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, whose journey from adversity to achievement serves as a testament to the power of education in breaking barriers and kindling hope.
Norhaina is a resident of the town of Shariff Aguak in the said province. Her life was marked by the challenges that often accompany marginalized communities.
As a Person With Disability (PWD), Norhaina faced not only the daily struggles that her condition brought but also the stark realities of limited access to education and opportunities.
“Sa pamamagitan ng ALS naging masaya ang aking buhay dahil ni minsan diko naramdaman sa aking mga kasamahan na iba ako sakanila. Minabuti ko pong sumali sa opportunity na ito para sa aking mga pangarap,” she said.
Through ALS, Norhaina’s life underwent a remarkable transformation. The program, a collaborative effort between the Bangsamoro Government and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), was designed to provide education to those who had previously been left behind by traditional schooling.
Norhaina’s experience echoes the sentiment shared by many others who, like her, found a new purpose and a sense of belonging through this initiative.
“Malaki ang pasasalamant namin sa BARMM at UNICEF dahil hindi kami pinabayaan at patuloy ang kanilang tulong para sa mga kagaya namin, at higit sa lahat ay sa kanilang tiwala na ibinigay na maaari na kaming tumungtong sa pormal na paaralan,” she added.
But Norhaina’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it is a chapter in a larger narrative of change and progress.
The ALS program, under the guidance of the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and with the unwavering support of UNICEF and other education stakeholders, has succeeded in producing over 1,300 graduates in Maguindanao del Sur alone.
During the graduation ceremony held at the Shariff Aguak Gymnasium on July 26, Director Daud Kadon of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System praised the dedication and determination of the graduates, emphasizing the program’s commitment to providing quality and accessible education.
“Sa ngayon, nagsusumikap ang MBHTE at hinanap ang mga kabataan na hindi nakapag-aral para bigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral sapagkat isa ‘yan sa mga programa ng BARMM na bawat isang pamilya ay mayroong makapagtapos. Maraming hamon ang inyong hinarap ngunit sa tulong ng Bangsamoro Government, aabutin natin ang mga ito,” Kadon remarked.
The partnership between BARMM and UNICEF goes beyond providing education; it is a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, a lifeline that extends to the most vulnerable and underserved.
Radoslaw Rzehak, Chief of the Mindanao Field Office representing UNICEF, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort and acknowledged the impact of this initiative on communities that otherwise might have remained excluded from the realm of learning.
“Through this initiative, it allows us to offer our out-of-school youth and adults the opportunity to resume their schooling and to reach the marginalized, underserved, and vulnerable communities who would otherwise not have access to education,” Rzehak said.
Celebrating Norhaina’s achievement and the rest of the ALS completers reminds us that their story is a symbol of the transformation through education. With each graduate of the ALS program, a ripple of change emanates, touching not only individual lives but also the entire Bangsamoro communities—a journey from hardship to hope. (Aisah Abas/Johaira Sahodala/BIO)
