Alternative Learning System Act

Conrado Magat Suba

THE passage of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 11510 institutionalizes parallel learning system in basic education for out-ofschool children and adults in special cases.

The Department of Education (DepEd), in a statement, lauded the passage of the act, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that no learner will be left behind, even amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

It likewise underscores the country’s trust in the potential of young and adult Filipinos who have been out of the formal school system to be able to live gainfully and contribute effectively to their community and the country, the DepEd said.

On Dec. 23, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA No. 11510 which shall provide adequate support to ensure that more out-of-school youth and adults (OSYA) will be able to have access to quality basic education and the law expands partnerships between DepEd and local government units, other government agencies, private sector, and non-government organizations.

The DepEd expressed gratitude to its partners in the legislature for championing the noble cause of empowering OSYAs. It likewise thanked President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his unwavering support to the program.

To provide a coordinated leadership and serve as the focal office for the continuous implementation of ALS, the DepEd said a new Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) shall also be created.

Meanwhile, the ALS Teacher Program shall be strengthened through pre-service and in-service trainings where additional teaching items will be created and a recalibrated and equitable support to ALS teachers, whose contexts differ based on the areas they serve - rural, urban, and geographically disadvantaged areas – shall be provided in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on education left a number of basic education learners unable to enroll in formal school – adding to the already existing number of OSYA. As the pandemic’s effect will still be very much felt in the next two to three years, the ALS Act can help DepEd to better respond to the bigger demand for the ALS Program, the DepEd said.

Dubbed as the legacy program of the Duterte administration, the institutionalization of the ALS program “will immensely contribute to the mandated strengthening and expansion of its implementation throughout the country.”

Through the ALS Act, and the strong support of stakeholders, the ALS will be truly a second chance education program that is not second-class," DepEd said.

--oOo-

The author is Administrative Assistant II at Candaba East District