ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM?

WHY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IMPLEMENTED ALTERNATIVE
LEARNING SYSTEM?
LEGAL BASIS OF ALS / NON FORMAL EDUCATION
What is the difference between Alternative Learning System and Formal Education
in terms of the following,
a)

Teaching Methodology

b) Curriculum
c)

Materials Used

d) Learning Session/Settings
e)

Age of the Learners

f)

Learning Programs

Programs of ALS with Pictures

NFE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
KEY CONCEPTS OF EFA AND THEIR MEANING
ADVOCACY
REFLECTION
AUTOBIOGRAPHY

What is ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM?

It is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the
existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in
schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS includes both the non-formal and informal
sources of knowledge and skills.(www.deped.gov.ph/als )
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a ladderized, modular non-formal
education program in the Philippinesfor dropouts in elementary and secondary schools,
out-of-school youths, non-readers, working Filipinos and even senior citizens. It is part of
the education system of the Philippines but an alternative to the regular classroom studies
where Filipino students are required to attend daily. The alternative system only requires
students to choose schedules according to their choice and availability.
The program has two different schematics for conducting instruction; school-based
and community-based. On the school-based program, instructions are conducted in
school campuses while in the community-based program, formal instruction are
conducted in community halls or on private places. The ALS program follows a uniform
lesson modules for all academic subjects covering the sciences, mathematics,
English, Filipino, social studies, current events among others. Delivery of instructions are
provided by government-paid instructors or by private non-government organization.
Aside from schematics, the program has two levels; elementary and secondary. Students
have to start from elementary level, then proceed to high school level. If a student is a
graduate of elementary under a formal classroom system, the student is automatically
admitted to the secondary levels depending on which year level the student stopped
schooling.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_Learning_System_(Philippines) )

Why the Department of Education implemented Alternative Learning System?

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. Some drop out from schools while some do not
have schools in their communities. Since every Filipino has a right to free basic
education, the Government establishes ALS to provide all Filipinos the chance to have
access to and complete basic education in a mode that fits their distinct situations and
needs.
ALS is also intended for youth and adults who need basic and functional literacy skills,
knowledge

and

values.

These people are usually located in far-flung communities with no or limited access to
formal schools.

In 2008, it was estimated that 40.95 million or 45% of the total Philippine
population did not complete basic education. This population is considered the
target groups of the alternative learning system.

Among the target groups, 27.53 million are 15 years old and above. Meanwhile,
6-11 years old (8.7 million) and 12-15 (4.7 million) years old are the aggregated
target learners who are in-school age.

Specifically, this group of marginalized learners consists of street children,

indigenous peoples, farmers, fisherfolks, women, adolescents, solo parents,
children in conflict areas not reached by the formal school system, rebel returnees,
and others.
Legal basis of Alternative Learning System/ Non-Formal Education

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for the recognition and promotion of other
forms of education other than formal education. Article XIV, Section 2, Paragraph (1)
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.
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-ofschool children, youth and adults population with basic education.

What is the difference between Alternative Learning System and Formal Education in
terms of the following,
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
One of the basic characteristics that differentiates formal education and ALS is the
teaching methodology. Formal Education utilizes the principles of pedagogy or the
science of learning among children while the ALS utilizes the principles of andragogy,
the science of adult learning.

Formal education generally makes use of end-of-school year achievement tests for all
learning levels starting in Grade 1 to 4th year High School.
The ALS generally makes use of the end-of-program tests which maybe given at any time
that a learner completes the program. For the Basic Literacy level, this test is called the
Assessment of Basic Literacy (ABL Test) and it measures basic reading, writing and
numeracy skills. For the A&E test, the elementary level learner takes the A&E
Elementary level test and the secondary level learner takes the A&E Secondary level test.
In both cases, the tests measure functional literacy competencies such as the following:
Communicate effectively
Solve problems scientifically, creatively and think critically
Use resources sustainably and be productive
Develop oneself and a sense of community
Expand ones world view

CURRICULUM
Formal education has the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) while the ALS has the ALS
Curriculum. The learning competencies of both curricula are parallel and comparable
although subject matter or content may differ. This means that both curricula are meant to
develop competencies that are equivalent in nature. While the BEC curriculum has 5
major subjects English, Science, Math, Filipino and Makabayan, the ALS curriculum has
% learning strands which are life skills-oriented rather than subject-oriented. The 5
learning strands are the following:
Communication skills
Development of Self and A Sense of Community
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Expands Ones World Vision
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 Sustainable Use of Resources/ Productivity

MATERIALS USED
Formal education generally makes use of textbooks which normally require teachers to
facilitate their use.
The ALS meanwhile, generally makes use of printed modules which may be used by
learners with or without the aid of a teacher since the materials are designed as selfinstructional and therefore self-paced. Also, since the subject matter is not
compartmentalized according to subject areas, the modules are said to be integrated.

LEARNING SESSION/ SETTINGS

In the formal school system teaching-learning is conducted primarily in the school. On
the other hand, teaching-learning in the ALS occurs in the community learning centers
(CLC) which may either be barangay hall, church, factory, a reading center, or the home.
Generally, the learners meet in the CLCs as group according to an agreement they
themselves have set with the facilitator or instructional manager. The rest of the time,
learners take home their learning materials to study at their own time.

AGE OF THE LEARNERS

In formal education, the age of the learner is prescribed. Thus, age of entry in Grade 1, is
6-years and the exit age at 4th year high school is 15 years. On the other hand, there is no
age prescribed for learners in ALS. Oftentimes, learners in the Basic Literacy Program
are adults, while learners in the A&E program are youth and adults 16 years and over.

LEARNING PROGRAMS
Formal basic education consists of elementary education which covers Grade 1 to 6 and
secondary education which covers 4 year levels.

The ALS program on the hand consists of the Basic Literacy Program which is a program
for illiterates on basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, and the Accreditation &
Equivalency Program (A&E) which is equivalent to the elementary and high school
programs of formal education and which address the learning needs of school dropouts or
those who have not completed 10 years of schooling as mandated by the Philippine
Constitution.

BASIC LITERACY PROGRAM(BLP)

The Basic Literacy Program (BLP) is a program aimed at eradicating illiteracy among
out-of-schools youth and adults (in extreme cases school-aged children) by developing
basic literacy skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

Program for dropouts of formal Elementary and Secondary Levels:

Continuing Education: Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E)
Program

The Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Program is a program aimed at providing an

alternative pathway of learning for out-of-school children, youth and adults who are
basically literate but who have not completed the 10 years of 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.

Program for Indigenous Peoples:

Indigenous Peoples Education

The Indigenous Peoples Education is a research and development project which aims to
provide basic education support services to IP communities. This is initially implemented
at the tribal communities in Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte, Gen. Nakar, Quezon, and Botolan,
Zambales.

Indigenous People (IP) Education is a Non-formal Education (NFE) program of

Alternative Learning System (ALS) fundamentally anchored on the IPRA Law (R.A.
8371) to address the learning needs, interest and aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples
(IP) in the Philippines.
Program for Muslim Migrants:
Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education
Alternative Learning System (ALIVE in ALS)

10

in

The Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education in Alternative Learning System
(ALIVE in ALS) is designed for the Muslim Migrants to be able to positively contribute
to the peace efforts of our government in order to improve the quality of life of Muslim
OSY and adults. It has components, namely; Basic Literacy Program + ALIVE;
Accreditation & Equivalency (A&E) Program + ALIVE; Informal Education + ALIVE;
Technical Vocational Education Program + ALIVE; and Entrepreneurship Development +
ALIVE.
Program for Hearing Impairment:
Alternative Learning System for Differently-Able Persons
(ALS-DAP)

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The Alternative Learning System for Differently-Able Persons (ALS-DAP) is a project

which aims to deliver Basic Literacy Program to the special/differently-able
children/OSYs/adults, e.g., hearing impaired learners who have not availed of/have no
access to the formal school system through specialized approaches, e.g., sign language.

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Program for Adolescents:

Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH)

The Adolescent
Reproductive
Health is a
project for outof-school
adolescents
ages 9-24 years
old. It is a life skills-based education program for adolescents who are in high-risky
behavior, sex-related or non-sex related behavior.

Program for Parents:

Parent Education

The
Parent

Education is an informal education which is a life skills short-term course that addresses
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the special needs and interests of the parents to promote pride in their work and
ownership of their responsibilities as members of the family and their community.

Program for Poor Families:

Family Basic Literacy Program (FBLP)

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This is a literacy service learning intervention utilizing literate family members to help
non-literate members upgrade their literacy skills and improve the educational
opportunities of poor families in the depressed, deprived and under-served (DDU) areas.

Radio-Based Instruction (RBI)

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The Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) Program is an alternative learning delivery mode

using radio broadcast to deliver the ALS programs. As a form of distance learning, it is
able to expand access to education by bringing it to where the learners are. It aims to
provide learning opportunities to listeners and enable them to acquire equivalency in
basic education through the broadcast of lessons.

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Program for Disadvantaged Children:

Informal Education for Disadvantaged Children

This
program
focuses on
packaging
of

short-

term

educational activity that addresses the special needs and interests of the street and
working children. It intends to use life skills active learning approaches/strategies aimed
at developing/enhancing social, civic, aesthetic, cultural, recreational physical and
personal

development.

The

learning

materials/packages

may

be

developed/adopted/adapted or gathered from other sources and tailored-fit to the

identified needs of the said users.

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As shown in the figure above, the outermost circle of the conceptual framework are two
very important concepts of NFE namely: a) human resource development b) sustainable
development.
On Human Resource Development, the new NFE is firmly anchored on the principle that
actualization of the human potential is the linchpin of development.human beings are the
center of development, thus HRD is crucial to poverty alleviation, socio-cultural growth
and progress.
The World Commission on Environmental Development (WCED) (1987) defined
sustainable development as a development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of the future generations.. the concern is not only what
happens now but also the implications of present actions on the future generations.

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Delivery Systems refer to the nontraditional modes of instruction which can be used in
both the formal and Nonformal programs.

Alternative Learning System is a parallel learning system being evolved to provide a

viable alternative to the existing formal education structure. It encompasses both the
nonformal and informal sources of knowledge and skills such as the home, the church,
media, the environment, even life itself, and spans the proliteracy to higher skills
continuum. It is synonymous with a nonschool-based learning system.

Basic Education refers to education intended to meet basic learning needs, instruction at
the first or foundation level, on which subsequent learning can be based. It encompasses
early childhood and elementary education, as well as education in literacy, general
knowledge and life skills for youth and adults. It may extend into secondary education in
some countries.

Basic Learning Needs comprise the essential learning tools (such as literacy, oral
expressions, numeracy and problem solving) and the basic learning concept ( such as
knowledge, skills, values an attitudes) required by human being to be able to survive, to
develop their full capacities, to live and work in dignity, to participate fully in
development, to improve the quality of their lives to make informed decisions and to
continue learning.

Cohort Survival Rate the percentage of Grade I pupils who reach Grade VI six years
later, also refers to the percentage of pupils who reach the next grade level the following
year.

Combination Classes refers to classes with two grade levels.

Continuing Education covers all educational opportunities taking place outside the
literacy and primary educational programs, including the enrichment of the learning
environment to activate and sustain motivation for learning.

Dropout Rate is the percentage of pupils who dropped out during the school year and
those who finish the grade within a school year but do not enroll in the succeeding year.

Early Childhood Care and Development is a set of critical development intervention

approaches and activities aimed at maximizing the pre-schoolers capacities for physical
psycho-social and intellectual development during their formative years.

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Formal Education is a highly institutionalized, chronologically graded and

hierarchically structured education system, spanning from the primary schools to the
tertiary schools.

Functional Literacy refers to the ability to read and write with comprehension, as well
as to make simple arithmetical calculations (numeracy) in an expanded sense, and the
possession of minimum skills needed to carry out simple functions in life and to interact
with others in society.

Graduates are pupils who complete the final grade in the education level (Grade
VI/Grade VII).

Informal Education a lifelong process of learning by which every person acquires and
accumulates knowledge, skills, attitudes and insights from experiences at home, at work,
at play and from life itself. Today, it is strongly influenced by mass media.

Integrated Projects are those that cut across development areas and whose components
are often packaged with other sectoral services to address a broader range of basic needs.

Institutionalization is the process of integrating policies, programs and procedures into

the existing system.

Literacy is the ability to read and write with understanding a simple message in any
language or dialect.

Literacy Rate refers to the percentage of the population who can read and write and
understand simple messages in any language or dialect.

Livelihood Skills Development Program provides basic livelihood skills training. And
vocational/technical skills training.

Minimum Learning Competencies refer to the whole range of skills and competencies
needed to be acquired by a person if he is to participate meaningfully and productively in
his community and improve his quality of life.

Multigrade Classes refer to classes with three or more grade levels.

Nonformal education is any organized, systematic educational activity carried an

outside the framework of the formal system to provide selected types of learning to a
cross-section of population and across age groups.

Participation rate for a given school year is the ratio of enrollment of a given age group
in a grade level to the population of the same age group in a grade level to the population
of the same group.

Preschool means organized child learning and socialization activities such as nursery,
preparatory, and kindergarten proper below Grade 1

Primary Education refers to the provision of first level instruction to children, usually
seven to twelve age group. In the EFA context, some learning outcomes obtained outside
the schools may be accredited or given certain formal primary grade equivalency through
proper accreditation and assessment instruments.
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Primary Schooling refers to the provision of primary education through formal schools.
(refers to elementary schooling)

School Facilities refers to the school buildings, workshops, laboratories, and other
structures for school use.

Simple Literacy refers to the ability to read and write a simple message in any language
or dialect.

Social Mobilization is the process of generating and sustaining active participation by all
sectors at all levels of society to achieve the goals and objectives of EFA.

Social Reform Agenda (SRA) is the government comprehensive response to the

grievances of the Filipino population especially the disadvantage sectors; namely, farmers
and landless workers which compose the majority of our available labor force,
fisherfolks, the indigenous people, urban poor, and other disadvantaged sectors such as
people with disabilities, senior citizens, disadvantaged children and youth, and women in
specially difficult circumstances in order to give them the chance to own and manage an
honest livelihood and shape their own future.

Teacher-Pupil Ratio is the ratio of the number of teachers to the total enrollment in a
specific grade level.

Technology is a systematic way of designing, carrying out, and evaluating the total
process of learning and teaching in terms of specific objectives based on research in
human learning and communication.

Technology Transfer means the transfer of the result of basic and applied research to the
design, development, production, and commercialism of new or improved products,
services, or processes.

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