16 December 2009

QC cops launch pushcart classes

Coming soon to Quezon City: Its own version of Efren “Kuya Ef” Peñaflorida’s “pushcart classroom” where the teachers are members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

The CNN hero for 2009 yesterday launched his new “kariton” (pushcart) program at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal which would hopefully benefit the city’s street children.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego said policemen with a background in education would be placed in charge of the 13 to 14 new pushcart classrooms.

“We will get cops from the community relations units who have a background in teaching to man the pushcarts,” he told reporters.

Dubbed “Kariton ni Kuya Ef sa QCPD,” the program is the QCPD’s way of providing poor children with educational opportunities even outside the classroom.

Each of the QCPD’s 12 police stations will be in charge of running a pushcart classroom while the QCPD headquarters may handle one or two more.

The pushcart classrooms will be stationed in specific areas in Quezon City, particularly in slum communities.

San Diego said the street children would be taught reading, writing and simple math by QCPD cops.

By Julie M. Aurelio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

December 7, 2009