Renaming Bureau of Nonformal Education to ALS

The Executive Order affirms State policy to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality basic education and to make education accessible to all, including alternative learning system for out-of-school youth and adult learners under Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9155.
The Executive Order recognizes that Section 12.1, Rule Xll of Republic Act No. 9155 treats the Alternative Learning System as a parallel learning system that encompasses both nonformal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
It frames the Bureau of Nonformal Education as mandated to ensure that learning needs of marginalized learners are addressed.
It directs that ALS should provide a more systematic and flexible approach to reach learners outside the formal school system.

Section 1 renames the Bureau of Nonformal Education to the Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS).
The renamed unit is the same bureau within the Department of Education referenced for implementing ALS functions.

Section 2(a) directs BALS to address the learning needs of marginalized groups, including the deprived, depressed, and underserved.
Section 2(b) requires BALS to coordinate with various agencies for skills development to enhance and ensure continuing employability, efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the labor market.
Section 2(c) requires BALS to ensure the expansion of access to educational opportunities for citizens across different interests, capabilities, demographic characteristics, and socio-economic origins and status.
Section 2(d) mandates BALS to promote certification and accreditation of alternative learning programs of both formal and informal nature for basic education.

Section 3 provides that funds necessary to carry out the Executive Order shall be taken from the present funds available in the Department of Education.
Section 3 further requires that the funds shall thereafter be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 4 repeals or modifies all orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the Executive Order.
Section 5 establishes that the Executive Order takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette.