The Department of Education (DepEd) has established the Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) to further ensure effective and efficient implementation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program.

“This will strengthen our initiatives, programs, and policies for the out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adults as we ensure their educational continuity for them to be able to develop basic and functional literacy, life skills, and pursue an equivalent pathway to complete basic education,” Secretary Leonor Briones said.

Per DepEd Order (DO) No. 47, series of 2021, BAE will serve as the focal office for implementing the Department’s ALS Program. It will strengthen and expand the ALS Program to help increase opportunities for out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adult learners, including indigenous peoples, persons deprived of liberty, and learners with disabilities.

 The power and functions of the Bureau are the following:

 a.     Establish minimum quality standards in the development of the ALS curriculum and learning materials, program planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and management;

b.     Promote and ensure  certification and accreditation of learners through alternative learning programs;

c.      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;

d.     Coordinate with various agencies and industries for skills development; and

e.     Coordinate, encourage close partnerships and establish linkages with LGUs and the private sector on the sustainable implementation of ALS programs, among others.

The BAE will be under the Department’s Curriculum and Instruction (CI) strand, and it will establish appropriate communication and coordination channels and implementation mechanisms within DepEd Central, Regional, and Schools Division Offices for the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of ALS programs.

“This shows DepEd’s strong commitment to provide education and help out-of-school children in special cases, youth, and adults in achieving their dreams for the betterment of their and their community’s future,” Sec. Briones said.

The establishment of the Bureau is in compliance with Republic Act No. 11510, also known as the Alternative Learning System Act. Communications Division