ALS SAVES LIFE

Post date: Sep 28, 2010 7:08:39 AM

Written by Jose Dasig

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

The Department of Education, Balanga City, is an advocate of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), then, the Non-Formal Education (NFE). The ALS is an intervention for Education For All (EFA), which aims to address the poor and disadvantaged Out-of-School Youth (OSY) and adults. The ALS provides learning opportunities to make them literate, productive and self-sustained that would alleviate their living conditions.

It cannot be denied that because of high degree of poverty, some students have to earn a living for survival. So, they are deprived of the benefits of formal schooling. They could not afford to go to school everyday. However, through ALS, these students can still attend class using Modules/Learning Kits during their free time before or after they work. ALS has devised its own school calendar considering the planting and harvesting season of some farm communities. With the modules at hand, the learners study their lessons even while they spend days away from school. In cases where learners tend to drop out because of some reasons or another, ALS pave the way to accommodate such students and therefore they would no longer be considered drop-out, but a learner of ALS who continues to study and finish a course.

ALS learners are given the opportunity to take the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test which allows passers to pursue college education. Likewise, graduates of ALS have gone abroad for employment because of the life-long skills gained that match with job opportunities therein. Further, ALS has increased participation of adults in their political and social responsibilities such as local and national elections, barangay affairs/activities because they can now read and write through ALS literacy program.

Finally, the dividends gained through the ALS program are priceless considering it as Basic Education that is affordable even to the poorest of the poor, and marketable that enables the clientele to learn and raise the quality of his life. Hence, ALS saves.

LILIA M. SANTIAGO, Ed.D.

Schools Division Superintedent

DepED - Balanga City