House OKs bill institutionalizing alternative learning system in basic education

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday the bill which seeks to institutionalize the alternative learning system (ALS) in basic education.

With 224 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstention, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 6910 or the Alternative Learning System Act.

The measure institutionalizes ALS as a parallel learning system “to provide a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction for out-of-school children, youth, and adult learners, including Madrasah and Indigenous Peoples, to develop basic and functional literacy, life skills, and pursue an equivalent pathway to complete basic education.”

There shall also be at least one ALS Community Learning  Center (CLC) in every municipality and city in the country, the bill states.

The bill likewise creates the Bureau of Alternative and Lifelong Education (BALE) which would serve as the focal office for the implementation of the ALS programs under the Department of Education (DepEd).

It is asked to handle the policy formulation, curriculum development, learning program delivery and learning materials development for the ALS program.

Since ALS programs are free, DepEd -administered ALS CLCs, its officers, or ALS teachers cannot solicit or require payment for enrollment and other fees from any interested learner as required for admission.

“Any DepEd-administered ALS CLC, its officers, or learning facilitator who shall be found to have violated this provision shall be held administratively liable,” the bill states. [ac]