If you think you can no longer be in school because of your age and you have no chance of finishing your education, you must think again. This is because of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines.
According to DepEd, ALS is a "parallel learning system in the Philippines 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."
Meaning to say, ALS is an alternative program that gives a second chance for everyone who wishes to complete their basic studies (primary or secondary education). Through it, OSYA learners are being provided with opportunities to learn, achieve their goals, and become a more productive member of the society in a manner, time and place suitable for their situations.
Who can enroll in ALS?
Based on the new ALS Act, the following are the ones who are eligible to enroll in ALS:
- Adults - these are 18-year-old Filipinos who were not able to start or continue their basic education (elementary or high school) in a formal school.
- Out-of-school children - these pertains to children in the official school age who were not able to enroll in elementary or secondary school due to certain cases such as "economic, geographic, political, cultural, or social barriers, including learners with disabilities or conditions, indigenous peoples, children in conflict with the law, learners in emergency situations, and other marginalized sectors."
What are the requirements when enrolling in ALS?
The documents that are required to enroll in ALS are the following:
- Photocopy of birth certificate (PSA) / baptismal certificate)
- 2x2 ID picture (white background)
- Form 137 (only for learners from the formal education system)
These should be submitted by the interested ALS learner to ALS teachers in their area or to the Schools Division/District Office.
How will you know if you are successfully enrolled in ALS?
Once the required documents are submitted, the ALS teacher will register the ALS learner in the Learner Information System (LIS). The student is officially enrolled when a unique Learner Reference Number (LRN) is issued by the LIS.
Who are the teachers in ALS?
As distinguished by the new ALS Act, teachers in ALS are
- DepEd-employed teacher - these are implementers of the ALS programs
- Community ALS implementors - these are persons committed to DepEd or any local government unit (LGU) to help in delivering ALS programs to out-of-school children and adults (OSYA learners).
- Learning facilitators - these are teachers who were paid by private sectors to implement ALS programs.
What are the learning materials to be used in ALS?
According to DepEd, the ALS “primarily uses learning modules for its learners” as provided by the ALS teachers. In each module, there are activities, and pre- and post-assessments expected to be done by the learners. Other learning materials like “text and non-text modules, self-learning instructional materials, learning activity packages, online or digital modules, textbooks, e-modules, or blended technology learning materials from the home or other sources may also be used."
Where are the ALS classes conducted?
ALS classes are conducted in a venue called Community Learning Center (CLC). This is a place or a space that is convenient enough to the learners to learn lessons and develop skills that they can utilize in the future.
What are the options of an ALS graduate?
If the ALS graduate is an:
- A&E elementary level passer - he or she can proceed to Junior High School (JHS)
- A&E JHS level passer - he or she can enroll to Senior High School (SHS) / TESDA
- A&E SHS level passer - he or she can enter college / TESDA / employment
However, if the ALS learner has no A&E certificate but intends to enroll in the formal basic education system, s/he must take and pass the Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT).
Education is not that difficult to have these days because of various programs like ALS. Now that we are being provided with opportunities to have education, it is a mistake not to take advantage of them. We are lucky enough to have a nation that values education, does not imprison us to ignorance, and creates a way to have a better quality of life.
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