Solon wants to institutionalize alternative classroom learning

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago wants to institutionalize the alternative classroom learning experience (ACLE) program in all secondary and tertiary educational institutions throughout the country.

She filed House Bill 8452 to institutionalize student-led alternative classes in secondary and tertiary educational institutions at least once a semester or term.

“The bill was inspired by the student council-led activity in UP (University of the Philippines) Diliman called the ACLE. It is a one-day alternative class festival organized by the student council and participated in by student organizations who invite speakers, conduct trainings, and similar activities,” Elago said.

“The ACLE aims to educate the students with additional learning not usually taught within the classroom — a departure from the academic-based curriculum of schools. It is a venue wherein the students are given the opportunity to earn various skills and knowledge through thematic fora, symposia, film showings and workshops,” she said.

With its success in UP Diliman, she noted that the ACLE has since then been institutionalized in other UP campuses.

She added that alternative classroom activities were also being held in other schools such as Ateneo de Manila High School (KLIK or Klaseng Ibang Klase), University of Santo Tomas, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Elago said the Alternative Classes bill was originally filed and refiled under the 15th Congress and 16th Congress by then Kabataan Party-list Reps. Raymond Palatino and Terry Ridon, respectively.

“In our commitment to holistic development of the youth, we refiled it under the present Congress, and urge the House of Representatives to see through the passage of the bill,” she said.

House Bill 8452 or the proposed Alternative Classes Act mandates all secondary and tertiary educational institutions to conduct ACLE activity at least once every semester or term, as the case may be.

Under the bill, student councils or student governments shall be primarily in charge of organizing such activity, while school administrations shall provide the necessary assistance to them to carry it out.