TEACHER INDUCTION PROGRAM

MODULE 3

VI. SESSION 6: DIVERSITY OF LEARNERS – ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

(ALS)

A. Desired Learning Outcomes

Beginning Teacher Indicators (BTIs) Proficient Teacher Indicators

(PTIs)

Demonstrate understanding of the special Plan and deliver strategies that are responsive to the
educational needs of learners in difficult special education of learners in difficult
circumstances, including geographic isolation; circumstances, including geographic isolation;
chronic illness; displacement due to armed chronic illness; displacement due to armed conflict,
conflict, urban resettlement or disaster, child urban resettlement or disaster, child abuse and child
abuse and child labor practices. labor practices.

B. Objectives

a. Discuss the different ALS Programs that will cater the educational needs of learners in difficult
circumstances, including: geographic isolation; chronic illness; displacement due to armed conflict,
urban resettlement or disaster; child abuse and child labor practices;
b. Describe the program options in providing educational services to ALS learners; and
c. Develop a lesson plan using teaching strategy that are responsive to educational needs of ALS
learners.

C. Pre-Test
Directions: TRUE or FALSE. Write T if the statement is correct and if it is FALSE write
F on the space provided for.
___T____________ 1. The Alternative Learning System is a parallel learning system in the
Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction.
___T_____________2. Family Basic Literacy Program (FBLP) focuses on packaging of short-term
educational activity that addresses the special needs and interest of the street and working children.
_F_(Alive in ALS)_ 3. Republic Act 9155 provides for the recognition and promotion of other forms
of education other than formal education.
_____T__________ 4. The potential learner in ALS goes through a screening process to determine
whatever prior learning that he/she may have through the National Assessment Test.
F (Family Basic Literacy Program) 5. Mobile teachers are “specialized” teachers who live among
the people in remote barangays of the country.
____T_____ 6. Basic Literacy Program is a community-based program for nonliterate out of-schooL
children, youth, and adults to acquire basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
F (Informal Education for Disadvantage Children) 7. Indigenous People Education is a program
for Muslim migrants to be able to positively contribute to the peace efforts of our government
improve the quality of life of Muslim out-of-school youth and adults.
 F (1987 Constitution)_ 8. Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) is an alternative delivery mode using radio
broadcast to deliver the ALS programs, as a form of distance learning. Listeners are able to acquire
equivalency in basic education through the broadcast of lesson.
F (Functional Literacy Test (FLT)_ 9. The Basic Literacy Program is a literacy service learning
intervention utilizing literate family members to help non-literate members upgrade their literacy
skills and improve the educational opportunities of poor families.
___T______ 10. Parent education is a short-term course that addresses the special needs and interest
of the parents to promote pride of their work and show ownership of their responsibilities as family
and community members.

D. Glossary of Terms

E. Key Concepts

What is Alternative Learning System (ALS)?

ALS is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal
instruction. When one does not have or cannot access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or
substitute.
ALS only requires learners to attend learning sessions based on the agreed schedule between the learners
and the learning facilitators.
The program has two different schematics for conducting instruction: school-based and community-based.
On the school-based program, instructions are conducted in school campuses while in the community-based
program, formal instruction are conducted in community halls or on private places. The ALS program
follows a uniform lesson module for all academic subjects covering the sciences, mathematics, English,
Filipino, social studies, current events among others. Delivery of instructions are provided by government-
paid instructors or by private non-government organization.
Aside from schematics, the program has two levels: elementary and secondary. Students have to start from
elementary level, then proceed to high school level. If a student is a graduate of elementary under a formal
classroom system, the student is automatically admitted to the secondary levels depending on which year
level the student stopped schooling.

What curriculum is used in ALS?

ALS reflects the set of knowledge skill and competencies that learners should develop to meet requirements
of basic education. It is comparable to the formal school curriculum. The teaching and learning processes
and resources are based on the Alternative Learning System curriculum.

Who is the target learner in the Alternative Learning System?

ALS is intended for out-of-school children, youth, and adults who need basic and functional literacy skills,
knowledge and values. These people are usually located to the formal school curriculum.
Who are the DepEd ALS field implementers?
Mobile teachers are “specialized” teachers who lived among the people in remote barangays of the country
to conduct the BLP for illiterate out of school children, youth and adults who are willing to learn basic
literacy skills and proceed to Continuing Education program: Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) for
those who left formal school system or have no access to schools.

What materials are used in ALS?

ALS uses learning modules. Each module is complete in itself. It contains the description of the module,
objectives, learning activities, and pre- and post-test.

Why is there a need for ALS in the Philippines?

Many Filipinos do not have a chance to attend and finish formal basic education (Grades 1–6 and Year 1–
4) due to many reasons. Some drop out from schools while some do not have schools in their communities.
Since every Filipino has a right to free basic education, the government establishes ALS to provide all
Filipinos the chance to have access to and complete basic education in a mode that fits their distinct
situations and needs.
If a learner has not finished his elementary schooling, he/she may be admitted to the program. He will have
to go through a Functional Literacy Test (FLT) for the learning facilitator to identify the level of literacy.
Learning modules will be suggested to be his focus relative to the result of his FLT and interest. The learner
will then be guided to accomplish an Individual Learning Agreement (ILA). This ILA will be their (learner
and facilitator) basis in tracking the progress and competencies developed within the learners.

After passing high school level test the learner can now enroll in grade 11.

What is the basis of ALS implementation in the Philippines?

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for the recognition and promotion of other forms of education
other than formal education. Article XIV, Section 2, Paragraph (1) declares that the State shall establish,
maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the
people and society; and paragraph (4) concisely encourages non-formal, informal and indigenous learning
systems as well as self-learning, independent and out-of-school study programs particularly those that
respond to community needs.

The Governance Act for Basic Education otherwise known as the Republic Act 9155 stipulates the
establishment of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to provide out-ofschool children, youth and adults
population with basic education.

As stated in Republic Act No. 7277 “An act providing for the Rehabilitation, SelfDevelopment and Self-
Reliance of disabled persons and their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for Other Purposes”
and in Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 “the tate shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality
education regardless of sex, age, creed, socio-economic status, physical and mental conditions, racial or
ethnic origin, political or other affiliation”, the State shall promote and maintain equality of access to
education as well as attainment of the benefits of education by all its citizens.

How does ALS work?

Two major programs in ALS are being implemented by DepEd, through the Bureau of Alternative Learning
System (BALS). One is the Basic Literacy Program and the other is the Continuing Education Program -
Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E). Both programs are modular and flexible. This means that learning
can take place anytime and anyplace, depending on the convenience and availability of the learners.

What is the difference between the Basic Education System and ALS?
Basic Education System is classroom-based, managed by trained formal school teachers. ALS happens
outside the classroom, community-based, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay
multi-purpose hall, libraries or at home, managed by ALS learning facilitators, such as mobile teachers,
district ALS coordinators, instructional managers at an agreed schedule and venue between the learners and
facilitators.

What are the program options of ALS learners?

1. Indigenous People Education - a research and development project which aims to provide basic
education support services to IP communities. This is initially implemented at the tribal communities in
Dumsalneg, Ilocos Norte, Gen. Nakar, Quezon, and Botolan, Zambales.

2. The Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education in Alternative

Learning System (ALIVE in ALS) - designed for the Muslim Migrants to be able to positively contribute
to the peace efforts of our government in order to improve the quality of life of Muslim OSY and adults. It
has components, namely; Basic Literacy Program, ALIVE; Accreditation & Equivalency (A&E) Program,
ALIVE; Technical Vocational Education Program, ALIVE; and Entrepreneurship Development, ALIVE
3. Alternative Learning System for Differently-Abled Persons (ALSDAP) - a project which aims to
deliver Basic Literacy Program to the special/differently-abled children/OSYs/adults, e.g., hearing impaired
learners who availed of/have access to the formal school system through specialized approaches, e.g., sign
language.
4. Adolescent Reproductive Health - a project for out-of-school adolescent ages 9-24 years old. It is a life
skills-based education program for adolescent who are in high-risky behavior.

What is Parent Education

It is an informal education which is a life skills short-term course that addresses the special needs and
interest of the parents to promote pride in their work and ownership of their responsibilities as members of
the family and their community.

6. Family Basic Literacy Program (FBLP) - a literacy service learning intervention utilizing literate
family members to help non-literate members upgrade their literacy skills and improve the educational
opportunities of poor families in the depressed, deprived and underserved (DDU) areas.
7. Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) - an alternative learning delivery mode using radio broadcast to deliver
the ALS programs. As a form of distance learning, it can expand access to education by bringing it to where
the learners are. It aims to provide learning opportunities to listeners and enable them to acquire equivalency
in basic education through the broadcast of lesson.

[Link] Education for Disadvantaged Children and Adults - focuses on packaging of short-term
educational activity that addresses the special needs and interest of the street and working children. It
intends to use life skills active learning approaches/strategies aimed at developing/enhancing social, civic,
aesthetic, cultural, recreational physical and personal development.

The learning materials, packages may be developed/adopted/adapted or gathered from other sources and
tailored-fit to the identified needs of the users.

There are short courses or Informal education to be completed in a maximum of three months focusing on
the development of livelihood skills like bread and pastry, hair cutting, meat processing, handicraft making,
dressmaking and the like.

For a sample on the impact of ALS Program, here is a video of an ALS Mobile Teacher on how he/she
touches the lives of a Filipino Learner.
[Link]

Activities and Assessment

Identify the ALS program suited to the given situations. Provide answers in a separate sheet.

a. Situation Number 1
My dear teacher, I am now on my 5th grade in elementary, I really love to go to regular school, in our class,
every day, but sadly I am now having struggle on my way to school because my family and I are living in
a mountainous place and we belong to a Tadyawan Tribe. My father decided that I have to stop schooling
due to the distance I am travelling just to attend class. Can you suggest possible way or solution so that I
can continue my schooling even I am at our tribe? Accreditation and Equivalency A and E Program

b. Situation No. 2
Mang Elberto is a street vendor, selling palamig, banana que, and junk foods. He always noticed Jojo, a
street boy, who is frequently looking for empty cans, used newspaper and other raw materials along
Magallanes Street. Mang Elberto asked Jojo if he has parents to guide him and nurture him. He found out
that Jojo doesn’t have parents or even relatives to take care of him. Jojo wishes to continue his elementary
grade. If Mang Alberto come to you and ask for possible help or assistance on how he can help Jojo to
continue his schooling, what possible program can you advice and why? Community Learning Center CLC

c. Situation No. 3
Nena is 19 years old and a housemaid. She stopped schooling when she was in grade 5. She could not find
time to enroll in formal education considering the nature of her work. The school near her workplace does
not offer night schooling. Her employer wanted her to continue her studies through ALS. Can you suggest
what possible ALS program best suited for her? Why? Accreditation and Equivalency A and E Program

d. Situation No. 4
Nilo is a visually impaired pupil who was not able to complete his elementary education. He wanted to
continue his studies despite of his disability. Would he be allowed to enroll in ALS program? What advice
could you give to him regarding his intention of getting back to school? ALS SPED for PWD

Fill in the missing phrase or word to complete the nature, salient feature and the legal bases of
Alternative Learning System (ALS).

1. The potential learner in the ALS goes through a screening process to determine
whatever prior learning that he/she may have through the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (A&E0
test

2. The Basic Literacy Program is a program aimed at providing an alternative pathway of learning for
out-of-school children, youth, and adults who are basically literate but who have not completed the 10 years
of basic education mandated by the Philippine Constitution.

3. The Adolescent Reproductive Health is a project for out-of-school adolescents ages 9-24 years old years
old. It is a life skills-based education program for adolescents who are in high-risky behavior, sex-related
or non-sex related behavior.

4. Every Filipino has a right to free basic education, the government establishes ALS to provide all Filipinos
the chance to have access to and complete basic education in a mode that fits their distinct situation and
needs.

5. As stated in Republic Act No. 7277 “the state shall promote the right of every individual to relevant
quality education regardless of sex, age, creed, socioeconomic status, physical and mental conditions, racial
or ethnic origin, political or other affiliation,” the State shall promote and maintain equality of access to
education as well as attainment of the benefits of education by all its citizens.

6. The Parent Education _is an informal education which is a life skills short-term course that addresses
the special needs and interest of the parents to promote pride in their work and ownership of their
responsibilities as members of the family and their community.

7. The Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education in Alternative Learning System (ALIVE in ALS) is
design for the Muslim Migrants to positively contribute to the peace efforts of our government to improve
the quality of life of Muslim OSY and adults.
8. The ALS program follows a uniform learning Lesson Modules for all academic subjects covering the
sciences, mathematics, English, Filipino, social studies, current events among others.

9. The Alternative Learning System only requires learners to attend learning sessions based on the agreed
Schedule between the learners and the learning facilitators.

10. Community Learning Center (CLC) is also called Punlaan ng Karunungan,which is similar to a
school but different in many aspects.

G. Reflection:
After understanding the nature, salient feature and the legal bases of Alternative Learning System, on what
particular part of what you have read ignites your enthusiasm to go beyond your limitations as a beginning
teacher? Why? Support your answer

The salient feature which ignites my desire as a beginner teacher is how ALS provide basic education to all
Filipinos in a way that fits their distinct personality. It also triggers me to learn more about the concepts in
education.

H. Post Test

Directions: TRUE or FALSE. Write T if the statement is correct and if it is FALSE write F on the
space provided for.
___T____________ 1. The Alternative Learning System is a parallel learning system in the Philippines
that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction.
___T_____________2. Family Basic Literacy Program (FBLP) focuses on packaging of short-term
educational activity that addresses the special needs and interest of the street and working children.
_F_(Alive in ALS)_ 3. Republic Act 9155 provides for the recognition and promotion of other forms of
education other than formal education.
_____T__________ 4. The potential learner in ALS goes through a screening process to determine
whatever prior learning that he/she may have through the National Assessment Test.
F (Family Basic Literacy Program) 5. Mobile teachers are “specialized” teachers who live among the
people in remote barangays of the country.
____T_____ 6. Basic Literacy Program is a community-based program for nonliterate out of-schooL
children, youth, and adults to acquire basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
F (Informal Education for Disadvantage Children) 7. Indigenous People Education is a program for
Muslim migrants to be able to positively contribute to the peace efforts of our government improve the
quality of life of Muslim out-of-school youth and adults.
F (1987 Constitution)_ 8. Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) is an alternative delivery mode using radio
broadcast to deliver the ALS programs, as a form of distance learning. Listeners are able to acquire
equivalency in basic education through the broadcast of lesson.
F (Functional Literacy Test (FLT)_ 9. The Basic Literacy Program is a literacy service learning
intervention utilizing literate family members to help non-literate members upgrade their literacy
skills and improve the educational opportunities of poor families.
___T______ 10. Parent education is a short-term course that addresses the special needs and interest
of the parents to promote pride of their work and show ownership of their responsibilities as family
and community members.