Law Summary
Objectives
- Provide quality attention/support to basic learning needs of out-of-school children and adults, including indigenous peoples.
- Ensure equitable access to alternate education for learners in underserved, conflict-affected, or emergency communities.
- Promote lifelong learning via ALS K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) enabling progression to higher education or employment.
- Hire and train ALS Teachers, Community Implementors, and Facilitators for program delivery.
- Develop specialized programs for learners with disabilities.
- Utilize nonformal and informal education methods with flexible program design.
- Improve literacy and education access for sustainable individual futures.
- Support nonformal education while ensuring school-age children return to formal education if dropped out.
Definitions
- ALS K to 12 BEC: Comprehensive curriculum benchmarked against DepEd formal curriculum focusing on 21st Century Skills.
- Various roles defined: ALS Teachers, Community Implementors, Learning Facilitators.
- Programs defined: Academic-Focused Bridging, Accreditation & Equivalency (A&E), Functional Literacy, Indigenous Peoples Education.
- Learners defined: Out-of-School Children in Special Cases, Adults (18+), Learners with Disabilities.
- Learning environments: Community Learning Centers (CLC).
- Nonformal and informal education distinguished.
- Micro-certification: credentialing of competencies.
Institutionalization of ALS
- ALS institutionalized to strengthen programs for out-of-school children in special cases and adults to develop literacy and life skills.
Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE)
- Created as focal office for ALS policy, curriculum, program delivery, quality assurance, learner assessment.
- Powers include setting quality standards, promoting certification, coordinating partnerships, managing databases, and ensuring learner employability.
ALS Programs and Modalities
- Strengthen priority nonformal education programs: Basic Literacy, A&E, Indigenous education, Bridging, Functional literacy.
- Utilize modular, digital, face-to-face, broadcast, blended, and experiential learning approaches.
Program Duration and Assessments
- DepEd to prescribe minimum program durations ensuring quality acquisition of competencies.
- Regular conduct of A&E assessments for certification at elementary, junior, senior high school levels.
- Micro-certification of specific competencies offered.
- Certification recognized for enrollment in formal schools, higher education, TESDA vocational training, and employment.
ALS Teachers and Training
- Strengthen ALS Teachers program with formal hire, salary grades, and promotion consistent with CSC standards.
- Community ALS Implementors engaged for augmentation until exclusively ALS Teachers after 3 years.
- Regular training and professional development coordinated with CHED and partners.
- Benefits equal to regular teachers offered.
Community Learning Centers
- Establish one ALS CLC per municipality/city prioritizing areas with limited access or high dropout rates.
- Use DepEd school facilities during non-class hours to augment centers.
- Operate CLCs 7 days a week with adequate resources including childcare.
Recognition and Partnerships
- DepEd to encourage private sector partnerships and create standards for service providers including qualifications, deployment, remuneration, and incentives.
- Clear guidelines to ensure quality and sustainability.
Government Agency Partnerships
- Collaboration with CHED, TESDA, DOLE, DTI, DA, DSWD, DILG, DOJ, NCIP, DICT, DOH for curriculum, skills training, employment, entrepreneurship, social services, data sharing, indigenous education, digital resources, and health education.
Local Government Unit (LGU) Role
- LGUs collaborate to identify learners, provide learning environments, mobilize resources, and support post-program activities.
- Local School Boards coordinate ALS implementation, budgeting, community literacy mapping, and facilities management.
- Authorized to allocate Special Education Fund portions for ALS program operations.
Program Monitoring
- Mandatory annual ALS program review and report to Congress.
- Establish evaluation system to measure program effectiveness and learner progress.
Fee Prohibition
- DepEd ALS programs must be free of charge.
- Violators among teachers or implementors are subject to administrative liabilities.
Tax Incentives
- Donations for ALS programs are exempt from donor's tax and deductible from gross income per tax laws.
Allowances
- ALS Teachers and Community Implementors entitled to transportation and teaching aid allowances besides hardship/cash allowances.
Budget and Appropriations
- Initial funding charged to existing DepEd appropriations, with future funding included in the General Appropriations Act.
Rules and Regulations
- DepEd to formulate implementing rules within 90 days of effectivity, taking effect 30 days after publication.
Transitional and Final Provisions
- Existing ALS programs continue under this Act.
- Separability clause ensures remaining provisions remain valid if parts are declared invalid.
- Repealing clause rescinds inconsistent laws.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication regardless of IRR issuance.