The Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the Philippines serves as a parallel education program, offering a practical substitute for formal schooling. For individuals who lack access to or cannot participate in traditional classroom education, ALS provides an alternative pathway to learning. It encompasses non-formal and informal educational avenues for acquiring knowledge and skills, effectively broadening the reach of education beyond the conventional school setting. To grasp the Alternative Learning System Meaning, it’s essential to understand its role as a crucial educational option for those outside the formal system.
The Necessity of Alternative Learning Systems in the Philippines
A significant number of Filipinos are unable to complete formal basic education, spanning from elementary (Grades 1-6) to high school (Years 7-10), for various reasons. School dropout rates and the absence of schools in certain communities are major contributing factors. Recognizing every Filipino’s fundamental right to basic education, the Philippine government established ALS. This initiative aims to provide all citizens with the opportunity to access and complete basic education through a system that adapts to their unique circumstances and requirements. The alternative learning system meaning is deeply rooted in addressing these educational gaps and ensuring inclusivity.
Legal Foundations of ALS Implementation in the Philippines
The 1987 Philippine Constitution underpins the recognition and promotion of educational modalities beyond formal schooling. Article XIV, Section 2, Paragraph (1) mandates the State to “establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.” Furthermore, paragraph (4) explicitly encourages “non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs.”
Reinforcing this constitutional mandate, the Governance Act for Basic Education, also known as Republic Act 9155, formally stipulates the establishment of the Alternative Learning System (ALS). This act is designed to provide basic education to out-of-school children, youth, and adults. The legal framework emphasizes the alternative learning system meaning as a constitutionally and legally supported pillar of the Philippine education system.
How Alternative Learning Systems Operate
The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), implements two primary ALS programs. These include the Basic Literacy Program and the Continuing Education Program – Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E). Both programs are structured around modular and flexible learning principles. This flexibility allows learning to occur at any time and in any location, adapting to the learners’ convenience and availability. This adaptable approach is central to the alternative learning system meaning and its effectiveness.
Distinguishing Formal Education from Alternative Learning Systems
The formal education system is characterized by its classroom-based nature and management by formally trained school teachers.
In contrast, ALS non-formal education takes place outside traditional classrooms, often within communities. It is typically conducted in community learning centers, barangay multi-purpose halls, libraries, or even at home. ALS learning facilitators, such as mobile teachers, district ALS Coordinators, and instructional managers, manage these programs. Learning schedules and venues are agreed upon between the learners and facilitators, highlighting the learner-centered approach that defines the alternative learning system meaning.
