Graphic from E-netPH
By Alithea De Jesus
A staunch advocate of access, equity, and quality in education for the marginalized and disadvantaged people, E-Net Philippines, a network of 130 organizations lauds and welcome the passing of Republic Act 11510 otherwise known as Alternative Learning System (ALS) Act.
Furthermore, the Alternative Learning System Act paves the way to provide a viable alternative and second chance education to out-of-school youth and adults, learners with disabilities, indigenous people, disadvantaged girls and women, children in conflict and disaster situations and those who have been deprived of education.
The group has been painstakingly participated in the Technical Working Group meetings and hearings in Senate and Congress to lobby for the passage of a law that will institutionalize the ALS and made sure their concerns on the need to embark on the
ALS is a parallel learning system to formal education that Alternative Learning System for everyone, not only in the time of the pandemic but also for the sake of those who do not have access and means to study on the regular school such as the indigenous people, person with disabilities and other marginalizes sectors.
Based on the World Bank’s May 2018 Philippines Education Note, at least 24 million Filipinos, aged 15 and above, were not able to complete their basic education. This is about 25% of the population. For this school year 2020-2021, based on Department of Education, only 405,902 are enrolled or 54.86% as compared to last school year enrolment of 739,872 in the ALS.
The ALS budget was pegged at P 500 million which is about PHP 4,732 per learner. There are 9,535 ALS teachers at present or a ratio of 88 learners:1 teacher.
With the ALS Act, E-Net hopes to address the issues on access, equity, and quality in education. The law provides the creation of Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE), expansion of teachers programs that will increase the numbers of ALS teachers and enhance their training, and provide them with transportation and teaching allowances. Community Learning Centers (CLCs) will be established in every municipality and city and there will be no collection of fees.
Improving access and quality of education contributes to socio-economic growth. In a 2018 WB study, 57% of ALS passers pursue higher education that will give them a chance to have better work, and 71% of ALS passers are already employed and have full time work.
E-Net commends all who worked in the making of the ALS Act: the civil society organizations (CSOs), ALS advocates and practitioners, ALS teachers, Instructional Managers, Community Facilitators, learners and ALS champions in the government, in legislative and executive bodies.
“Edukasyong Sapat, Ligtas, Karapat-dapat, Para sa Lahat!”
