In line with its efforts to provide quality and relevant second chance basic education to Filipinos, the Department of Education (DepEd) has been working with various organizations.
In particular, DepEd has been closely working with UNICEF to help provide opportunities for out-of-school children, youth, and adults (OSCYAs) to develop basic and functional literacy skills and to access equivalent and flexible pathways to complete basic education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program.
“In less than six years, we are confident to say that we delivered on our mandate and our commitment to strengthen and improve the ALS Program,” said DepEd Assistant Secretary for ALS G.H. Ambat.
She noted that this would not be possible without the steadfast support of our partners like UNICEF Philippines.
To celebrate notable achievements in strengthening and expanding the ALS Program, DepEd and UNICEF launched yet another milestone – the ALS 2.0 ICT Strategic Plan and the ALS Research Agenda.
“As we gather to celebrate our milestones in working together, we likewise underscore that the work with ALS never truly ends,” Ambat said.
The ALS Program is a parallel learning system that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction for Filipino OSCYAs.
UNICEF has been working with the DepEd-ALS Task Force (now Bureau of Alternative Education or BAE) as part of its efforts to support learning continuity for vulnerable and marginalized children and youth who do not have access to formal education.
The collaborative efforts of DepEd and UNICEF Philippines on ALS are mostly on evidence-generation and policy development, as well as field-level innovations.
“While this event is a celebration of the many milestones in ALS that UNICEF and DepEd have achieved, it is also a good occasion to look ahead and see how to further build on these achievements for the out-of-school children and adolescents in the Philippines,” said UNICEF Philippines Chief of Education Isy Faingold.
“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to co-develop and implement these policy and field-level ALS programmes with DepEd-BAE, all of which are intended to support the ALS program – with the ultimate objective of supporting quality learning for every Filipino child, especially those in greatest danger of falling behind,” he added.
UNICEF remains a committed partner to the DepEd in strengthening and promoting ALS, especially for children who have no access to formal education in schools. Innovative, evidence-based ALS practices will open opportunities for OSCYAs to build the skills necessary to thrive and pursue a better livelihood.
DepEd said that the ALS Program is intended for OSCYAs who have not completed basic education in the formal system. Those interested may inquire and enroll in their respective barangay halls, nearest community learning centers, or public schools.
They may also directly coordinate with the DepEd Schools Division Office nearest their area through the contact details found on the DepEd website.