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MANILA, Philippines – The Senate on Tuesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report on a measure that seeks to institutionalize the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian praised the ratification of the bicam report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1365 and House Bill No. 6910, or the proposed “Alternative Learning System Act,” as a step closer for millions of children in special cases ”and adults to complete their basic education. Gatchalian is chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture.
Children out of school in special cases are children of official school age who are not enrolled in primary or secondary schools due to economic, geographical, political and cultural factors, and even social barriers. They can also include students with disabilities or conditions, indigenous peoples, children in conflict with the law and other marginalized sectors.
“The ALS law will be one of the government’s primary means of providing these millions of Filipino students with a second chance to obtain a quality accessible education, earn a decent income and improve their lives,” Gatchalian said in his motion to ratify the bicam report during Tuesday’s session.
He noted that institutionalizing and strengthening ALS is crucial in the education sector’s efforts to “build back better,” considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to education.
Gatchalian said that at least 24 million Filipinos aged 15 and over have not completed basic education, citing the World Bank’s May 2018 Philippine Education Note. The report added that another 2.4 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 were out of school.
National enrollment data from the Department of Education (DepEd) also shows that as of September 28, there were only 393,163 enrolled in the ALS program nationwide. Gatchalian said this is significantly lower compared to last year’s enrollment rate of 738,929.
“If this measure is finally enacted, we can assure that the second chance we give our compatriots will really help them fulfill their dreams of a better future,” he said.
Under the proposed measure, DepEd, in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission, will create teaching positions and assign corresponding salary grades to help strengthen the ALS Teacher Program. ALS teachers will also be eligible for promotion to the next higher levels based on CSC grading standards.
After ratification by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, the consolidated bill will be presented to the Office of the President for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.
KGA
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