Provincial Government Leading Intervention For Education thru Alternative Learning System (LIFE-ALS)
BACKGROUND:
The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a ladderized, modular non-formal education program for drop-outs in Elementary and Secondary schools, out-of-school youth, non-readers, working Filipinos and even senior citizens. (ALS Wikipedia)
The program has two different schematics for co
nducting 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 uniform lesson modules for all academic subjects covering the sciences, mathematics, English, Filipino, social studies, current events among others. Deliveries of instructions are provided by government-paid instructors or by private non-government organization. (ALS Wikipedia)
Aside from schematics, the program has two levels; elementary and secondary. Students have to start from elementary level, and 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. (ALS Wikipedia)
RATIONALE:
In the Province of Camarines Norte, there is a prevalence of school drop-out because of poverty. There are pupils, after graduation in elementary no longer pursue high school education because they are forced or enticed to earn for themselves a living or for their family. They work as domestic or construction helpers or some engaged themselves in farming, fishing and mining. This program will also aim to address a particular gender issue: that there are more male school drop-outs than female, and thereafter for this program to make a gender responsive approach. It is noteworthy that almost all LGU in the province conducts its own ALS program or in partnership with the barangay government which cannot shoulder the full cost of the program. However, municipal government can only provide a meager amount because it has its own regular scholarship or other educational assistance program. Of the twelve municipalities, Daet is self-sufficient in conducting its ALS Program. On the part of the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte, it has various education programs which aim to uplift the life of its constituents and eventually to eradicate poverty in Camarines Norte. Among these is the PGCEAP which has a regular funding and where continuous increase in fund is being pursued. There is also an allocation for vocational courses for OSY and educational assistance for special child and persons with disability. However, it is also aware that the drop-outs rate in elementary and secondary levels must be given attention too. Assistance should be provided especially to barangay which are financially incapacitated. The PLGU also sees to provide ALS in barangays which are in most remote or far-flung areas and are distant from where the secondary schools are situated. This is true in the First District which coverage is 147 barangays out of 282 barangays of Camarines Norte but where the presence of Secondary Schools is lesser than the Second District. OBJECTIVES:
1. To reduce school drop-out and encourage them to go back to school and value education as their only vehicle to change their destitute living.
2. To provide the instructional materials consist of 54 learning manuals which each batch needed for the duration of their non-formal schooling for 10 months.
3. To provide reasonable honorarium for Literacy Facilitators/Instructional Managers as counterpart of the province to the honorarium they are receiving from barangay/municipal government. As requirement of the program, IM or LF should be a college degree holder for them to handle ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Program. Those who are willing are graduates who are not yet board passers and/or not yet ranked for regular teaching position. Sometimes, even if they are willing to work as IM, the honorarium being offered to them is not reasonable to cover their food and transportation expenses for 10 month period of ALS classes which are mostly in remote barangays or far-flung areas where there is a high prevalence of out of school youth.
4. To address gender sensitive issues like more male drop-outs working in mining area and female drop-out working as domestic helper.
5. To be gender responsive, that in implementing this program, gender issues will be identified and be properly issued. METHODOLOGY:
Preparatory Phase
1. Survey/Research of Prevalence of out of school youth
2. Conduct of Basic training for Literacy Facilitators and Instructional Managers to be handled by DepEd
3. Production/Reproduction of Learning materials
4. After the basic training, the IM/LF shall proceed to their assigned area for MAPPING of out of school youth to identify the barangay wherein the ALS A & E classes shall be conducted.
5. There will be job order/contract employee of, the provincial government who under the close supervision of the Community Affairs Office shall coordinate this program; handle the record and provide report A monitoring and reporting system shall be administered by the provincial government thru CAO in coordination with DepEd and LGUs. CONTINUING STAGE
1. Every year thereafter, a regular allocation shall be provided to sustain the program especially for honorarium of IM/LF and reproduction of instructional materials.
2. For each year, a new barangay shall be identified for conduct of A & E classes in their area.
3. Incentive may be given to outstanding IM/LF to encourage them to enhance their teaching profession in ALS.
4. Regular Training and Enhancement shall be done to maintain pool of IM and LF.
5. Outstanding ALS graduate may be given an incentive too like Award, cash incentive and college education assistance thru PGCEAP or skills training thru TESDA.
