PARA MAAABOT ANG MGA OSY, DEPED NAGTATAG NG BUREAU OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

ITINATAG ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) upang masiguro ang epektibo at episyenteng implementas­yon ng Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program.

Ayon kay DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, palalakasin nito ang initiatives, programs, at polisiya para sa mga out-of-school children sa special cases, kabataan at matatandang nais magkaroon ng educational continuity.

Sa bisa ng DepEd Order (DO) No. 47, series of 2021, magsisilbi ang BAE na focal office para sa pagpapatupad ng ALS Program ng Departamento. Palalakasin nito at palalawakin ang ALS Program upang makatulong na magbigay ng pagkakataon sa mga out-of-school children sa mga special cases, kabataan at adult learners, kasama ang mga indigenous peoples, mga nakakulong, at learners na may disabilities.

Ang kapangyarihan at functions ng Bureau ay ang mga sumusunod:

1. Establish minimum quality standards in the development of the ALS curriculum and learning materials, program planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and manage­ment;
2. Promote and ensure certification and accreditation of learners through alternative learning programs;
3. Ensure access to educational opportunities for learners of different interests, learning needs, capabilities, demographic characteristics, and socioeconomic status, who have been unable to complete formal basic education, who have been unable to complete formal basic education;
4. Coordinate with various agencies and industries for skills development; and
5. Coordinate, encourage close partnerships and establish linkages with LGUs and the private sector on the sustainable implementation of ALS programs, among others.

Ang BAE ay sasalilalim ng Curriculum and Instruction (CI) strand ng Departamento, at mag-eestablisa ng tamang kumunikasyon at coordination channels at pagpapatupad ng mekanismo sa DepEd Central, Regional, at Schools Division Offices para sa pagpaplano, implementation, at monitoring at ebalwasyon ng ALS programs.

Ang pag-eestablisa ng Bureau ay bilang tugon sa Republic Act No. 11510, a.k.a. Alternative Learning System Act.  KAYE NEBRE MARTIN