ALS (Alternative Learning System) EDUCATION PROJECT aims towards providing students with better learning environment to ALS learners and other Out-of-School youth.

Learning goes beyond merely absorption of a subject matter by a student; students need an enriching and flexible learning environment to actualize their potentials to the fullest. Hence, this project was made to cater the needs of our leaners in terms of their physical environment in school.

This is one of the ALS classes of San Miguel Central School, San Miguel, Leyte, Philippines. It is handled by Mr. Ronald P. Valeriano, an ALS Mobile Teacher for more than 10 years. For this school year, he has 104 total enrolment. Most of them come to San Miguel Central School but there are some who just havetheir classes at their respective houses so Teacher Ronald will be the oneto go to their houses to teach.

Students under the ALS program age from 15 years to 40 years old. Some of them are illiterate while most of them have dropped out of regular classes and other out-of-school youth.

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM OR ALS?I

It is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Many Filipinos do not have a chance to attend and finish formal basic education (Grades 1-6 and Year 1-4) due to many reasons. Some drop out from schools while some do not have schools in their communities. Since every Filipino has a right to free basic education, the Government establishes ALS to provide all Filipinos the chance to have access to and complete basic education in a mode that fits their distinct situations and needs.

HOW DOES ALS WORK?

There are two major programs on ALS that are being implemented by the Department of Education, through the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS). One is the Basic Literacy Program and the other is the Continuing Education Program – Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E). Both programs are modular and flexible. This means that learning can take place anytime and any place, depending on the convenience and availability of the learners.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FORMAL EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM (ALS) NON-FORMAL EDUCATION?

Formal Education system is classroom-based, managed by trained formal school teachers.

ALS Non-formal Education happens outside the classroom, community-based, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay multi-purpose hall, libraries or at home, managed by ALS learning facilitators, such as mobile teachers, district ALS Coordinators, instructional managers at an agreed schedule and venue between the learners and facilitators.

Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/inclusive-education/alternative-learning-system/

As you can see in the photos, the ALS teacher and most especially the learners of San Miguel Central School badly need help with regards to their learning environment.

They do not even have their own classroom to begin with that is why they just have their classes under shade of the trees at the back side of the school. The chairs that they were using were just borrowed from other classrooms which they return every after classes.

As of now, here are the list of thethings that they badly need:

10 long tables (approximately 50$ each)

80 monoblock chairs (6.58$ each)

2 long white board with stands (approximately 80$ each)

2 big tents (for temporary shelter) (100$ each)

other learning supplies and materials to be used for the technology and livelihood programs of ALS

P.S. School supplies, food and fare for those who belonged to the underprivileged families can also be supported through the funds to be raised here. These are some of the reasons why some learners do not finish their program in ALS because they do not have money to support themselves.

The school has very limited funds so it cannot provide the needs of all teachers and learners of the school.

That is the reason why we are here knocking on your generous hearts to please help us in providing a better service to our learners.

Let us be one of the reasons to make our learners be more motivated and improve their learning performance in school.

Thank you in advance.

ALS EDUCATION PROJECT: Make a Better Learning Environment for ALS Students