Education For All (EFA) states that: “the existing Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS) of the DepEd should be developed, strengthened and mandated to serve as the government agency to guide the evolution of the country’s Alternative Learning System (ALS)”, flourishes as a program that signifies those who believe that education is still a strong tool to alleviate life in general. It is a free education program that benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling and is generally flexible to the available time of the enrollees.
Alternative Learning System is flexible. It is an anytime, anywhere learning. The function of the Alternative Learning system includes coordinating with various agencies for skills development to ensure continuing employability, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness in the perspective workplace. Likewise, the expansion of access to educational opportunities for citizens of different interests, capabilities of demographic characteristics and socio-economic origins and status; and addressing the needs of marginalized groups. Primarily, Alternative Learning System is anchored on the teaching of life skills that goes beyond obtaining information but is more concerned about the application of the competencies and values to develop within the individual the power to make decisions toward improving the quality of learners’ life.
More importantly, it targets OSY (Out-of-School Youths), Adults and children who want to pursue college or work without a college diploma. The A&E (Accreditation & Equivalency) test given for the completers of the program aims to assess the basic skills such as literacy, numeracy and problem solving. Those who pass the examination should be given an A&E diploma which is equivalent to a high school diploma.
There are many success stories not only of the ALS program itself but also of individual learners whose pursuit for knowledge and better life have etched remarkable change and promising future.
For the full and effective implementation of the ALS program, there are MT (Mobile Teachers), DALSC (District ALS Coordinators) assigned in depressed, disadvantaged and underserved community, for sometimes there are IM (Instructional Managers) and Facilitators funded by LSB (Local School Board) or PSB (Provincial School Board) for their honorarium.
By: Gloria B. Crisostomo | Teacher III | District ALS Coordinator Pilar Elementary School
