Alternative Learning Systems
Alternative Learning Systems
ALS 2.0
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel learning system in the Philippines
that provides opportunities for out-of-school youth and adult (OSYA) learners to
develop basic and functional literacy skills, and to access equivalent pathways to
complete basic education.
A viable alternative to the existing formal education system, ALS encompasses both
non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills. As a second chance
education program, it aims to empower OSYA learners to continue learning in a
manner, time and place suitable to their preference and circumstances, and for them to
achieve their goals of improving their quality of life and becoming productive
contributors to society.
In 2022, the DepEd Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE), in partnership with SEAMEO
Innotech and USAID Opportunity 2.0, launched the ALS 2.0 Monitoring and
Evaluation (M&E) System Operations Handbook to help the Department in
determining the effectiveness of the Program in meeting its desired outcomes and
targets based on approved plans.
In 2022, DepEd and UNICEF launched two new ALS publications: The ALS ICT
Strategic Plan 2022-2026, which concretizes the roles of ICT in the areas of access,
quality and governance of the improved ALS Program; and the ALS Research Agenda
2022-2026, which promotes evidence-based decision-making and policy development
for the ALS program to achieve quality and inclusive lifelong learning and guides the
research community in contributing to ALS research work.
The non-formal education programs in ALS are Basic Literacy Program (BLP) and
Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Program.
The ALS Program also provides opportunity for learning through Informal Education
(InFed). Informal Education, defined as a “lifelong learning process acquired outside
the formal school system but complements learning acquired in both non-formal and
formal basic education,” creates opportunities for self-development, community
development, entrepreneurship, and skills development in response to the individual’s
learning interest.
https://www.deped.gov.ph/als-programs/
A&E TEST
Completers of ALS who are passers of the A&E Test are given certificates bearing the
Department of Education (DepEd) seal, the ALS logo, the Schools Division Office’s
logo, dry seal and designated signatories, and the school’s name (if the A&E passer
completed ALS under a school or an SBM School for ALS) or the Community Learning
Center’s name (if the A&E passer completed ALS under a CLC). This duly signed
official document certifies their competencies as comparable graduates of the formal
education system.
Under DepEd Order No. 27, series 2018 (Amendment to DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2015,
or the High School Graduates Who are Eligible to Enroll in Higher Education Institutions
in School Year 2016-2017, in Relation to ALS), beginning school year 2018-2019 and
for subsequent school years, passers of previous A&E Tests (high school level), and of
the November 2017, March 2018, and February and March 2019 A&E Tests (high
school level), who are all high school graduates of the old basic education curriculum
for ALS, are eligible to:
a. Enroll in college/university as First Year students, subject to admission policies and
requirements of higher education institutions (HEIs); or
b. Take skills development training programs; or
c. Enroll in Senior High School at any public school, or private school of their choice
(subject to admission requirements).
Schedules
Results
https://www.deped.gov.ph/ae-test/
ICT4ALS
With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to COVID-19, the need
for more online learning opportunities is more apparent. In response to this, UNICEF
Philippines created the ICT4ALS website to provide online resources and apps that ALS
learners, teachers, and implementers can explore and use.
The ICT4ALS complements the DepEd Commons' pool of learning resources. It also
includes links to online webinars, courses, and tutorials that ALS teachers can partake
to learn more about ICT-based distance teaching and learning.
The ICT4ALS is co-developed and regularly updated by the UNICEF Philippines
Education team, the ALS Task Force, and various partners and volunteers.
Access ICT4ALS here: http://bit.ly/ICT4ALS
MyDev Life Skills FMs
ALS TV
https://www.deped.gov.ph/als-learning-materials/
RESOURCES
Issuances
https://www.deped.gov.ph/category/alternative-learning-system/issuances-
alternative-learning-system/
ALS – RESEARCHES
https://www.deped.gov.ph/category/alternative-learning-system/researches-
alternative-learning-system/
TRENDS IN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM