ALS: SECOND CHANCE EDUCATION FOR A BETTER LIFE
Ang Alternative Learning System (ALS) ay isang uri ng educational system sa Pilipinas na nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga out-of-school youth at adult (OSYA) learners na matuto ng basic at functional literacy skills para magkaroon sila ng basic education.
Simula pa noong November 2013, ang Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation ay naging katuwang ng Department of Education sa pagpapatayo ng mga ALS Centers. Sa kasalukuyan, ang CLFI ay nakapagtayo na ng mahigit 100 na ALS Community Learning Centers sa buong bansa.
Ang ALS ay isang epektibong alternatibo sa pormal na sistema ng edukasyon at isang maituturing na “second chance education program”
Ayon kay Leah Macalincag na Project Manager ng CLFI, “ang ALS ay hindi s’ya katulad ng formal schooling na papasok ‘yung mga learners araw-araw. Dito, it can be modular, it is self-based. Natututo ‘yung mga learners at the time that they need to, kung kailan sila may oras dahil karamihan sa kanila they’re breadwinners of the family. So trabaho ‘yung priority.”
WHO ARE THE TARGET LEARNERS IN THE ALS?
Adults – Filipinos age 18 years old and above who were not able to begin or continue basic elementary or secondary) education in formal school
Out-of-school children in special cases – children in the official school age who are not enrolled in elementary or secondary school due to special 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
HOW CAN YOU JOIN THIS PROGRAM?
Interested ALS learners should complete and submit the following requirements to ALS teachers in your area or to the Schools Division/District Office:
- Photocopy of birth certificate (PSA) / baptismal certificate
- 2×2 ID picture (white background)
- Form 137 (only for learners from the formal education system)
WHO ARE THE TEACHERS IN ALS?
As defined in the new ALS Act, these are:
- ALS teachers- DepEd-employed teachers who implement the ALS programs
- Community ALS implementors– persons engaged either by DepEd or any local government unit (LGU) to deliver ALS programs to out-of-school children and adults
- Learning facilitators- teachers financed by the private sector (NGOs, CSOs, or individuals) who implement ALS programs
Learning sessions may be conducted at any place or space referred to as Community Learning Center (CLC) which is convenient to the learners.
ALS creates opportunities for self-development, community development, entrepreneurship, and skills development in response to the individual’s learning interest.
“Being part of the ALS program and being part of Cebuana, I’m really grateful for this opportunity to be able to serve. . . For the many things that we have successfully accomplished through the ALS program, I’ve seen that we’ve done it beyond work, we see it more than a job and we did it because we care, because we love. “ Macalincag concludes.
