DepEd creates new bureau for out-of-school Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has established a new bureau that will ensure the effective implementation of its Alternative Learning System (ALS) program for out-of-school Filipinos.
According to DepEd’s Department Order No. 47, the Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) will serve as a focal office for implementing the agency’s ALS program. It will also strengthen and expand the program to help increase opportunities for out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adult learners, including indigenous peoples, persons deprived of liberty, and learners with disabilities.
The establishment of the bureau is also in compliance with Republic Act No. 11510 or the Alternative Learning System Act, said DepEd.
“This will strengthen our initiatives, programs, and policies for the out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adults as we ensure their educational continuity for them to be able to develop basic and functional literacy, life skills, and pursue an equivalent pathway to complete basic education,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a statement on Tuesday.
“This shows DepEd’s strong commitment to provide education and help out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adults in achieving their dreams for the betterment of their and their community’s future,” she added.
The said bureau will have the following functions and authority:
Article continues after this advertisement– Establish minimum quality standards in the development of the ALS curriculum and learning materials, program planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and management
– Promote and ensure certification and accreditation of learners through alternative learning programs
– Ensure access to educational opportunities for learners of different interests, learning needs, capabilities, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status, who have been unable to complete formal basic education, who have been unable to complete formal basic education
– Coordinate with various agencies and industries for skills development
– Coordinate, encourage close partnerships, and establish linkages with local government units and the private sector on the sustainable implementation of ALS programs, among others
DepEd said the BAE will be under the jurisdiction of the Department’s Curriculum and Instruction strand, and will establish communication channels and implementation systems within DepEd Central, Regional, and Schools Division Offices for the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of ALS programs.
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