PASIG CITY -- “A truly strengthened and intensified Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program for all out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adults (OSCYAs) is a promise that the administration of Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones delivered in less than six years in office,” ALS Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat declared as the Department of Education (DepEd) is set to conduct the roadshow for Republic Act 11510 (ALS Act) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) beginning February 2022.
DepEd, through the newly created Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) in the Central Office, will engage DepEd officials, personnel, and partners in the field to make the implementation of the law more understandable, relatable, and practicable.
“After we levelled-up the Program, we intend to build on the gains of ALS 2.0 and make sure that everyone – from DepEd officials and personnel to external partners – is all-in for ALS. Their stake in and support for ALS should continue even after the current administration,” Ambat added.
With support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Opportunity 2.0 (O2) Project, the roadshow will kick off in the 12 O2 project sites: Zamboanga del Norte, Isabela City, Davao City, General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, Legazpi City, Angeles City, Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Cebu City, and Tagbilaran City. Thereafter, BAE will conduct the roadshow with relevant offices in the Central, Regional and Division offices, and schools.
“We share the same goal with DepEd of reaching the vulnerable Filipino out-of-school youth and making sure they have access to quality education and training. A large part of doing that is to build awareness and the capacity of ALS implementors including administrators, coordinators, and teachers down to community learning centers—even local governments, private sector, academia, and the youth themselves. This way, everyone will know what the ALS law means for them and their work together on youth development,” USAID Opportunity 2.0 Chief of Party Dr. David Hall said.
The roadshow aims to explain the salient features and key terms in the law and its IRR that will define the roles and responsibilities of DepEd and its partners in the continued implementation of the ALS Program. Likewise, the roadshow is designed to boost stakeholder support by enabling them to appreciate the provisions of the law, and discuss strategies and practices that may be used to further an effective advocacy campaign.
To signify support for the ALS Program, and its institutionalization through the ALS Act and its IRR, roadshow participants and program stakeholders are encouraged to use #AllinLahatsaALS in their social media posts related to ALS and its activities. The hashtag also serves as a call-to[1]action for all to acknowledge and participate in the collective effort to make basic education more accessible and inclusive for marginalized Filipinos.
On December 23, 2020, the President promptly signed the ALS Act that responds to the growing demand for a quality second-chance basic education as a viable learning option for Filipino OSCYAs who are unable to study in the formal education system due to economic, geographic, political, physical, and social barriers.
On November 5, 2021, Briones signed the final IRR following BAE’s conduct of a series of consultations with DepEd officials and personnel, relevant government agencies, and non-government organizations. (DepEd)
