To close the skills and learning gaps in the country, a leader of the House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Department of Education (DepEd) to use the P559 million under Flexible Learning Options (FLO) to expand resources and dedicate teachers to the Alternative Learning System (ALS). House Committee on…
MANILA - The chair of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to expand resources and dedicated teachers to the Alternative Learning System (ALS), which has been one of the effective anti-poverty measures of the agency. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said a logical conclusion regarding increased poverty due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is to expand access to ALS. "The pandemic likely forced many to stop from their classes, and many others will likely have to work to pay off pandemic debts," Salceda said. "The ALS has been a very attractive path for learners who cannot afford to go to conventional school, but want to attain diplomas. That source of demand has increased during the pandemic." Salceda noted that under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA), "at least" PHP559 million has been allotted under Flexible Learning Options (FLO) for the implementation of ALS programs, which include the de