Headline
House OKs bill institutionalizing alternative learning system
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to institutionalize the alternative learning system (ALS) nationwide.
With 224 affirmative votes, zero negative vote, and no abstention, the chamber approved House Bill 6910 seeking to boost accessibility for the education of underserved sectors of the country, such as the out-of-school youth (OSY), persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous people and senior citizens through ALS.
The ALS is a parallel learning system encompassing informal, non-formal and indigenous as an alternative to the existing formal education. This is tailored for individuals that are constrained by time, physical, economic and other factors from attending the traditional classroom setting.
In comparison to the formal education system, ALS is a non-formal education that happens outside the classroom, community-based, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay multi-purpose halls or at home at an agreed schedule and venue between the learners and learning facilitators for free.
The bill seeks the establishment of at least one ALS Community Center in each municipality and city in the country and shall be placed in a conducive learning and accessible environment.
For the implementation of the ALS programs, the Department of Education may utilize learning modules which contain learning activities, and pre- and post-assessments.
Other supplementary materials like text and non-text modules, self-learning instructional materials, learning activity packages, online or digital modules, textbooks, e-modules or blended technology learning materials may also be used.