Bicam approves bill institutionalizing alternative learning system

Both houses of Congress on Thursday approved the final version of a bill that would institutionalize the alternative learning system (ALS) in the country's basic education for out-of-school children, youth, and adults.

"Aprubado na po ng Bicam ang Alternative Learning System Act! Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa ating isinusulong. Malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga kababayan na makabalik sa pag-aaral at magkaroon ng pangalawang pagkakataon sa buhay," Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the upper chamber's basic education panel, said on Twitter.

He underscored that this bill is seen to pull out 23 million Filipinos out of illiteracy and poverty.

Once ratified by both houses, Senate Bill No. 1365 will then be transmitted to the President for signature.

The proposed measure seeks to strengthen and expand the existing ALS program under the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 to ensure that more out-of-school youth, adults, and children in special extreme cases will be given the chance to "pursue an equivalent pathway to complete basic education."

It mandates the creation of the Bureau of Alternative Education under the Department of Education (DepEd), expansion of ALS teaching positions, and establishment of at least one ALS Community Learning Center in every municipality and city throughout the country.

Gatchalian previously said there were over 700,000 learners enrolled and more than 10,000 facilitators employed in DepEd's ALS program in 2019. — BM, GMA News