Face-to-face learning allowed in ALS
The conduct of face-to-face learning instruction may be allowed for learners enrolled under the Alternative Learning System (ALS) as long as there is clearance from the local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), the Department of Education (DepEd) said.
In DepEd Memorandum No. 67, Series of 2020, dated Oct. 21 signed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones, the agency issued the guidelines on the implementation of the ALS programs in light of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) implemented this School Year (SY) 2020-2021 amid the COVID-19 situation in the country.
DepEd said that for Special Learning Sessions for Lower Elementary (LE) and Basic Literacy (BL) level learners, in-person sessions may be allowed given that they “need in-person facilitator-aided support.”
The DepEd said that “ALS teachers, who wish to continue offering these programs may, upon receiving clearance from the local IATF, conduct face-to-face learning sessions on an agreed schedule with learners in an appropriate learning environment.”
In this set-up, DepEd added that ALS teachers “shall prepare a class program with the allowable number of learners per session that complies with the minimum health standards.”
If the learning center or location is too small to accommodate all learners, “ALS teachers shall split the class into two sub-groups with different schedules and conduct classes by shifts.”
“ALS teachers may partner with formal school teachers in delivering online higher competencies especially English, Science, Mathematics, Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL), and may also adopt online literacy and numeracy modules,” DepEd said. “ALS teachers shall strictly follow the ILA (Individual Learning Agreement) and address queries and or clarifications of learners via communications apps or SMS,” it added.
DepEd has modified the implementation of the ALS program this year. The guidelines on the implementation of the ALS program in response to the need were issued to ensure that education continues in compliance with the existing community quarantine policies set by the government.
Based on the national enrollment data from DepEd as of Nov. 3, there 405,902 learners enrolled in the ALS program or 54.86 percemt of last year’s total enrollment.