Teachers in police uniform for OSY kids
KALSADA ARAL PATROL
WHO says schooling means having to sit in a classroom with a bagful of books and paper before a teacher?
Not for street children and young out-school-youths (OSYs), aged 7-10 years old, in Dagupan City. They get their chance to learn the alphabet, numbers, including good manners, their rights and security education in their own environs, taught and guided by policewomen.
Thanks to the Kalsada Aral Patrol project of the Dagupan City Police.
P/Superintendent Franklin Ortiz, police chief, initiator of the project, said the activity reflects the city government’s thrust to keep the city child-friendly.
The ‘teachers’, P/Sr. Inspector Maria Theresa Meimban, assisted by PO1 Alma Ayson, both at the Women and Children’s Protection Desk/Family Juvenile Gender and Development (WCPD/FJGAD), patrol the streets to reach out to kids deprived of formal schooling.
The two ‘teachers’ are ‘armed’ with coloring books, pencils, pad paper, crayons, etc., for the kids’ use and which the kids bring home to continue what they have learned.
The program was launched in June in Barangay Pogo Chico with 80 kids joining the ‘patrol’. The most recent patrol was held in Barangay Poblacion Oeste on Nov. 3, right inside the public cemetery.
The kids, mostly candle vendors, sat on top of tombs which also served as their ‘classroom’ tables while they listened to their uniformed ‘teachers’ teach them lessons, talk about alphabets, numbers, child’s rights, safety, good manners and conduct and how to stay away from drugs.
The kids, mostly in their filthy clothes, were also taught proper hygiene and good grooming. After the lessons, Lugaw Patrol entered with free congee for each kid.
The kids’ ‘class’ went uninterrupted for almost 2 hours.
“Pulis Nyo, Titser Nyo! Laging Handang Gumabay Sa Inyo!,” was how Meimban explained their mission to The PUNCH.
“There is a different kind of fulfillment we feel inside. You feel so light and happy especially when kids embrace us after their session,” Meimban, a regional police awardee for being the Best WCPD unit, said.
They end the class with the message: ”School is fun” in the hope that the kids will be motivated to start going to real schools. (Eva Visperas)
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