Out-of-school youth, adults urged to study through ALS

MANILA, Philippines — Out-of-school youth and adults may avail themselves of the government’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) in order to continue their studies and improve their way of living, according to the Department of Education.

DepEd cited the success of former ALS learners who continued their studies even as they were sick and poor.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the government wants to make education more inclusive by strengthening the ALS for students who are struggling or have no means of undergoing formal schooling.

“Their success proves that with the right intervention and support, every Filipino can overcome any challenge in their studies toward achieving a brighter future,” Angara said.

Aldwin Balintec of Cauayan, Isabela stopped studying in 2001 after an illness crippled him when he was 13 years old.

In 2009, Balintec met an ALS mobile teacher who introduced him to the program for out-of-school youth.

After passing the accreditation and equivalency test, Balintec took Bachelor of Elementary Education at the Isabela State University as a scholar of the local government. After graduation, he took and passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

He started as a literacy volunteer and was hired as an elementary school teacher under the Cauayan City schools division office.

Later, Balintec’s former ALS supervisor offered him a position as an ALS mobile teacher for the Cauayan East District.

“Without hesitation, I accepted the offer, believing it was my calling: helping others who have yet to achieve their dreams and inspiring them through empathy and understanding,” Balintec said.

Another ALS graduate, Rinda Limkul of San Fernando, La Union was forced to stop studying at age 13 due to financial constraint.

Limkul availed herself of the ALS program until she entered college in 2016 and graduated in 2022. She passed the Civil Service Examination and was able to get a job in the government.

Meanwhile, vegetable vendor Rebecca Simbulan, 57, of Batac, Ilocos Norte, finished senior high school this year through the ALS.