July 9, 2024 - Senator Win Gatchalian is taking steps to prevent dropouts in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The program, designed for learners who cannot attend formal schooling, has seen a decline in completion rates.
In the School Year (SY) 2016-2017, 65% of ALS enrollees successfully completed the program, totaling 454,550 learners out of 698,356. However, by SY 2021-2022, completion rates dropped significantly to 49%, with only 328,195 out of 668,947 learners finishing the ALS curriculum.
A 2021 UNICEF study identified financial constraints (38%) and work commitments (29%) as the primary reasons for ALS learners not completing the program.
Senator Gatchalian emphasizes the need for stronger guidance and counseling to encourage ALS learners to stay in the program. Additionally, he advocates for career progression opportunities, ensuring that learners understand their post-ALS options.
The Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Assessment, which measures competencies, plays a crucial role. Despite an average completion rate of 63% from SY 2016-2017 to SY 2018-2019, only 33% of completers passed the A&E.
Estimates suggest that 27.3 million Filipinos aged 15 and above, who lack basic education, were not enrolled in ALS during SY 2022-2023. With 640,448 ALS learners enrolled that year, the participation rate stands at 2%.
Senator Gatchalian’s efforts aim to improve ALS outcomes and provide better educational opportunities for all learners. If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!