Senate ratifies bicam report on institutionalization of ALS

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate ratified Tuesday the bicameral conference committee report on a measure that seeks to institutionalize the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian hailed the ratification of the bicam report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1365 and House Bill No. 6910, or the proposed “Alternative Learning System Act,” as a step closer for millions of “out-of-school children in special cases” and adults to complete their basic education. Gatchalian is chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture.

Out-of-school children in special cases are children in official school age who are not enrolled in elementary or secondary schools due to economic, geographic, political, and cultural factors, and even social barriers. They can also include learners with disabilities or conditions, Indigenous Peoples, children in conflict with the law, and other marginalized sectors.

“The law on ALS will be one of the government’s primary means of providing these millions of Filipino learners with a second chance to obtain an accessible quality education, earn a decent income, and uplift their lives,” Gatchalian said in his motion to ratify the bicam report during Tuesday’s session.

He noted that institutionalizing and strengthening ALS is crucial in the education sector’s efforts to “build back better,” considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to education.

Gatchalian said at least 24 million Filipinos aged 15 and above have not completed basic education, citing the World Bank’s May 2018 Philippines Education Note. The report added that an additional 2.4 million children aged 5 to 14 were not attending school.

National enrolment data from the Department of Education (DepEd) likewise shows that as of September 28, there were only 393,163 enrollees under the ALS program nationwide. Gatchalian said this is significantly lower compared to last year’s enrollment rate reaching 738,929.

“Kung tuluyang maisabatas ang panukalang ito, masisiguro natin na ang pangalawang pagkakataong ibibigay natin sa ating mga kababayan ay talagang makatutulong upang matupad nila ang kanilang mga pangarap na magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” he said.

Under the proposed measure, DepEd, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission, shall create teaching positions and allocate corresponding salary grades to help strengthen the ALS Teachers Program. ALS Teachers will also be entitled to promotion to the next higher levels based on the qualification standards of the CSC.

After the ratification by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the consolidated bill will then be submitted to the Office of the President for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

KGA

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