ESSU's Training & Extension Services Office (TESO) welcomed a huge group from the Department of Education's (DepEd) Alternative Learning System (ALS) to a condensed immersion of University life on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Teatro Ibabawnon of the Main Campus.
TESO aptly labelled the said activity, Giving Opportunities to Alternative Learning System Learners (GOALS) with the theme, "Bridging Dreams Through Campus Immersion." In partnership with DepEd Borongan City Division Office, the activity was made possible.
The learners were treated to welcoming and encouraging words from no less than the ESSU leadership led by University President, Dr. Andres C. Pagatpatan, Jr. and OIC VP for Academic Affairs and Student Services & Alumni Affairs (SSAA), Dr. Aris A. Lapada, urging them to complete their ALS program and move closer to achieving their dreams by enrolling in ESSU right after.
Apart from the program proper, the students were also warmly welcomed by members of the ESSU Supreme Student Council, who toured them around the campus and introduced them to the leadership and faculty of each college as well as the various units of the University's administrative services.
In full support, the students were accompanied by DepEd Borongan City Division OIC-SDS, Dr. Edgar Y. Tenasas, CESO IV, and DepEd Borongan City Asst. SDS, Dr. Raymund D. Capacite, along with their class advisers. The visitors also include Mr. Adrian Colico of St. Mary's College (SMC) of Borongan City. SMC is also a partner institution of DepEd in the ALS program.
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system of DepEd that provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners to develop basic and functional literacy skills and to access equivalent pathways to complete basic education in order to have them properly equipped and prepared for college.
Also highlighting the immersion activity was the moving testimonial speech by Mr. John Lester Ravas, Instructor from the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) of the Main Campus. A proud graduate of the ALS program, Mr. Ravas inspired the audience by recounting the impossible odds he had to overcome as a minor forced to do child labor just to make ends meet, trying and failing seven times in seven years just to finish his first year of high school before finding his way into the ALS Program.
In his message, Dr. Tenasas revealed that the immersion activity is a very integral part of the ALS program because it gives the students a first-hand observation of college life and stirs excitement within the ALS students to pursue college education and make their dreams come to life, years into the future.
