SA LIKOD SANG REHAS: EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY (PDLS) AS THE BASIS FOR AN EXTENSION PROGRAM

The purpose of research cum extension was to identify the educational needs for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs). The participants were the 292 randomly selected PDLs of Iloilo District Jail - Male Dormitory. A 30-item researcher-made survey was used to gather the data. The educational needs were categorized into literacy, numeracy, entrepreneurial, and livelihood skills. Frequency count and rank were the statistical tools used. The result showed that the needs for literacy were: can read and understand simple passages in Hiligaynon, Filipino, and English; be able to write simple stories in Hiligaynon, Filipino, and English; and know how to spell words. For numeracy, the identified needs were: to answer simple math problems; know how to perform the basic operation; and know how to solve the discount that is given to the purchased products. For entrepreneurial and livelihood skills, the results were: able to create a personal budget plan; identify appropriate business or livelihood based on the actual budget plan; and come up with a personal plan on how to improve yourself and your community through simple and productive actions. Based on the result of the study, the extension program developed was Pagbulig, Pagpabakod, kag Pag uswag (3Ps) Program for PDLs. With the goal of the university to serve the least, the last, and the lost, it is recommended that the program will be implemented.