Development and Usability of Alternative Learning System (ALS) Building for Learning of Out of School Youth Community Individuals of Maitum

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Every Filipino has the right to basic education. But many Filipinos fail to avail of it, for various reasons. In attending to this issue, the Department of Education has set up the Alternative Learning System to provide all Filipinos the chance to gain access tobasic education in a mode that fits their distinct situation and needs. ALS is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System, the 3rd Bureau of the Department which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling and follows whatever is their available schedule. The program provides a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills. Alternative Learning System implements three major programs namely: (1) Basic Literacy Program, (2) Continuing Education Program, and (3) the Sustainability & Lifelong Program. All three programs are modular and flexible. Each one can take place anytime and anyplace, depending on the convenience and availability of the learners. Learning sessions are usually held in waiting sheds, churches, house of learners, under the trees, or any place that can be utilize to conduct learning sessions, following a schedule agreed upon by the learners and the facilitator. This study aims to develop and determine the usability of Alternative Learning System Building with computer facilities for various unschooled individuals of the municipality of Maitum. This includes the strategiesto be implemented in catering the clienteles and proposed solutions to the problems of dropped outs and out of school children, youth and adult individuals, the sustainability of the goods and services offered to the clienteles.

METHODS

The gathering procedure used by the researcher were as follows: asked permission from the District Head to conduct study, got the number of out-of-school youth in every barangay through the mapping data in Municipal Planning & Development Office, identified the number of out-of-school youth in every barangay, and to find out the interest of out-of-school youth going back to school, a survey was conducted through survey questionnaire whether the respondents are interested or not.

RESULTS

After having seen the needs of the out-of-school children, youth & adults and some illiterates who were found to be interested in going back to school, it has been found that there should be a learning center for them which will serve as the area where they could display their latent potentialities. There must be enough space and the area should be conducive for learning. There shall be computer facilities and internet connection so that learning will be more likely to happen especially that we are now in the computer age.

DISCUSSIONS

Looking at the census in general, there is a number of illiterates and unschooled children. There is really a need to help the people of Maitum to be freed from ignorance. Most of them are living in far flung areas. The Education for All (EFA) advocacy of the Department of Education is just but very appropriate in response to this vital need of every unschooled and drop out individual in certain household in barangays. As a response, the District Alternative Learning System Coordinator of Department of Education Maitum has linked to different National Government Offices and Government Offices to put up Alternative Learning System Building with certain computer units for the learning of these individuals that would most likely to be of help to them as they conquer unawareness and poverty.