ALTERNATIVE

LEARNING
SYSTEM
 ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

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.
A viable alternative to the existing formal education system, ALS encompasses both non-
formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

It aims to empower OSYA learners to continue learning in a manner, time and place
suitable to their preference and circumstances, and for them to achieve their goals of
improving their quality of life and becoming productive contributors to society.

Why is there a need for Alternative Learning System in the Philippines?

Many Filipinos do not have a chance to attend and finish formal basic education (Grades
1-6 and Year 1-4) due to many reasons.

What are the Legal Basis of ALS?

1. 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Section 2, Paragraph (1) and (4)
It declares that “the State shall establish, maintain and support a complete,
adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and
society”; and paragraph (4) concisely 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.”

2. The Governance Act for Basic Education otherwise known as the Republic Act 9155
Stipulates the establishment of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to provide
out-of-school children, youth and adults population with basic education.

3. Republic Act No. 11510 or “An Act Institutionalizing the Alternative Learning System
in Basic Education for Out-of-School Children in Special Cases and Adults, and
Appropriating Funds Therefor”
Which provides the much needed support to further expand and strengthen the
implementation of ALS throughout the country.

Who are the target learners in the ALS?

As defined in the new ALS Act, these are:
1. Adults
2. Out-of-school children in special cases
Where are ALS classes conducted?

Learning sessions may be conducted at any place or space referred to as Community

Learning Center (CLC) which is convenient to the learners.

1. Simple, makeshift or temporary meeting place (e.g. Chapel or any open multi-purpose
area temporarily lent for learning purposes by the barangay or any private property) with
tables, charts, and chalkboard
 2. Semi-concrete structure mostly made of light materials such as nipa, soft wood, etc.,
dedicated to als learning sessions and related activities, and equipped with basic furniture
and appliances (e.g. Electric fan) and learning equipment
3. Typical barangay learning center, secured and mostly made of cement and other concrete
materials; dedicated to als learning sessions and related activities, and equipped with
basic furniture and learning equipment (e.g. Chairs, tables, chalkboard, library corner,
cassette recorder) and basic appliances (e.g. Electric fan)
4. Two or three-story building fully equipped with basic furniture and advanced ict
equipment for learning, dedicated to als learning sessions and related activities
5. A permanent building equipped with als learning materials and other learning resources
are being utilized by learners and other members of the community; the materials are
either being transported from house to house, or borrowed by interested community
members from the clc for literacy and continuing education

What if they want to return to formal school?

In case an ALS learner without an A&E certificate wants to enroll in the formal basic
education system, s/he must take and pass the Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT).
The ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Assessment and Certification is a
process that comprises an exam and other appropriate assessments to measure the
competencies acquired by ALS learners based on the ALS K to 12 Basic Education
Curriculum (BEC).

What are the options of an ALS Graduate?

1. Enter college/university
2. Enter other formal/non-formal training programs
3. Enter/re-enter the world of work
4. Enter/re-enter elementary or secondary formal school system
5. Learn essential life skills to participate more fully and actively in the political, social and
economic lives in the community.

ALS PROGRAM

Basic Literacy Program

The basic literacy program (BLP) is a program component of als aimed at eradicating
illiteracy among osya, and in extreme cases, school-aged children, by developing the basic
literacy skills of reading, writing, and numeracy.

Accreditation and Equivalency Program

The accreditation and equivalency (a&e) program is a program component of als aimed
at providing an alternative pathway of learning for osya who have the basic literacy skills
but have not completed the k to 12 basic education mandated by the philippine constitution.
Through this program, school dropouts are able to complete elementary and high school
education outside the formal school system.
Life Skills for Work Readiness and Civic Engagement Program

The Life Skills for Work Readiness and Civic Engagement Program aimed to address the
mismatch between skills taught in school and skills demanded in the workplace that have left
young people unable to find jobs, start their own businesses, or otherwise contribute to their
communities.

Life Skills for Work Readiness and Civic Engagement Program

Building up on its partnership with MYDev and the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), the Department of Education is mainstreaming the use of
Life Skills for Work Readiness and Civic Engagement in the Alternative Learning System to
develop skills and competencies needed for economic success, such as communications,
leadership, workplace safety, and financial literacy skills among its ALS learners.

In MYDev, Life Skills include two sets of skills:

a. Work Readiness Skills

work-related skills needed by young people to be successful at work in the formal,
non-formal, and informal sectors

b. Civic Engagement Skills

values and skills for living in and helping to improve quality of life in our community
and overall society

In 2019, the Life Skills Program was rolled out in the BLP and A&E classes of DepEd
delivered ALS programs all over the country.

THE ALS K TO 12 BASIC EDUCATION CURRICULUM

Learning Strand 1:
A. Communication Skills (English)
The main thrust of Learning Strand (LS) 1 is Communication Skills, which seeks to develop the
ability of out-of-school youth and adults to access, critically process, and effectively use available
information in a variety of media.
Ls 1 also useful to:
⦁ function effectively as a member of the family, community, nation, and the world; and
⦁ participate actively in community and economic development.

Framework of Learning Strand 1

 B. Communication Skills (Filipino)/ Kasanayan sa Komunikasyong Filipino
Ang pangunahing layunin ng Pokus ng Pagkatuto (PP1): Kasanayan sa Komunikasyong Filipino
ay mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng mga matatatanda at kabataang hindi na nakakapag-aral upang kritikal
na masuri, maabot at epektibong magamit ang mga impormasyon.

Naaabot at epektibong nagagamit ang mga impormasyon sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang uri ng
midya upang:

⦁ epektibong magampanan ang tungkulin bilang miyembro ng pamilya, komunidad, bansa at

daigdig; at
⦁ aktibong pakikilahok sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad at ekonomiya.

Framework of Learning Strand 1

Learning Strand 2:
Scientific Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills
The ultimate goal of this learning strand is to enable the learners to apply critical thinking skills
and problem solving in daily life situations in order to improve their lives, as well as the quality of life
of the people, the community and the country as a whole.
The objectives, competencies and skills on critical thinking are sequenced in such a way that the
learners will experience success in learning. The sequencing helps the learners to move from easy to
difficult by increasing the degree of complexity as the literacy level increases and as learning progresses.
It follows a logical and sequential order: from simple to complex, concrete to abstract, familiar to
unfamiliar, specific to general, narrow to broad.

Learning Strand 3:
Mathematical and Problem Solving Skills
Mathematical and Problem Solving Skills focus on Scientific Literacy and Numeracy Skills,
which are basic to meaningful participation in community life and improving the quality of life of the
people, the community, and the country as a whole.
Learning Strand 4:
Life and Career Skills
This Learning Strand addresses the improvement of the economic status of Filipinos, (and the
reduction of poverty) particularly among ALS learners. It focuses on the attitudes, skills, and knowledge
(competencies) necessary for earning a living and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.

Learning Strand 5:
Understanding the Self and Society
This Learning Strand ―Understanding the Self and Society‖ is intended to help ALS learners
acquire a positive sense of self and social responsibility that will lead them to the development of their
potentials and enable them to live together harmoniously in the contexts of their family, local
community, and country, as well as be able to participate as a member of the Southeast Asian region and
an increasingly global community.

Learning Strand 6:
Digital Literacy
This Learning Strand addresses the needs of ALS learners to develop basic skills in
ICT use and digital literacy. Accordingly, a new Learning Strand has been added to the
ALS Curriculum focused on “Digital Literacy” for 21st-century Filipino citizens. This
Learning Strand seeks to help equip ALS learners with critical knowledge, skills, and
values to be able to live and work effectively as part of the digital universe.
Reference:
https://www.deped.gov.ph/about-als/