CABANATUAN CITY, July 6, 2018 – In line with its commitment to further capacitate its teaching and non-teaching personnel, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted the Luzon leg of its Training for Education Program Specialist II for Alternative Learning System (EPSA) on the Fundamentals of ALS from June 5 to 8 at the Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan City.

Around 200 EPSAs from Regions I to V, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and National Capital Region (NCR) attended the event spearheaded by the DepEd-Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD). The joint training of Visayas and Mindanao clusters was held on November 29 to December 1, 2017 in Cebu City.

This effort aimed to enhance the knowledge, attitudes, values, and skills (KAVS) of ALS implementers to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the program. It also aimed to clarify duties and responsibilities of EPSAs; enhance understanding of ALS implementers regarding ALS curriculum and learners’ pathways of learning and assessment; and clarify issues and concerns on ALS implementation.

In her speech, DepEd-BLD Director Marilette R. Almayda expressed her gratitude to all the training participants and underscored the importance of this gathering: “I’m happy that you put premium to this activity. When you go back to your respective stations, you’ll be taking something with you—additional learning, updates, insights, and most of all, the stronger bond with your friends, as I know how close the ties of ALS family is.”

“There are so many great stories about ALS that we can all share. I know that you know your own passion, your commitment to make sure that no learner is left behind. You know that these learners that we cater to really deserve the second chance in life,” she further stated.

“This is a very good opportunity for all of us to learn, re-learn, and unlearn those things that we know we may not be able to use anymore. Always remember that everything we do, we do for our learners,” Almayda concluded.

Moreover, BLD-Student Inclusion Division (SID) Chief Jose D. Tuguinayo Jr. reported that in 2017, DepEd catered to 641,584 ALS learners and is still conducting efforts to expand the reach of the program. Currently, the ALS program have extended its reach to drug surrenderers, children in conflict with the law (CICL), rebel returnees, laborers, and in countries where children of Filipino migrants do not have access to formal education.

The event was also graced by officials from the host Division, the Schools Division of Nueva Ecija, and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) Program Director Philip John Purnell.

END