The Philippines has an Alternative Learning System (ALS), a non-formal system of elementary and high school education that can be achieved without attending classes in school daily. The ALS enables students to choose their modules and learn at their own pace. It is used by school dropouts, working people, and even senior citizens. Those who pass the appropriate examinations may be able to get back into formal schooling or into college.
In Laguna Province Goducate has been teaching school dropouts through this system. However, for administrative reasons, the program was dropped last year.
This year the program has been resumed, and students will be taught at three centers. One center is the Goducate music studio, and the other two are in somebody’s house. So far 30 students have registered. Most are out-of-school youth but there are 2 mothers (one aged 55) and a father.
Goducate in Laguna now has 7 teachers who are certified to teach through the ALS. The 2 who received their certificates only this year are now at the Goducate Training Center for further training as English language teachers.
Apart from the ALS teaching and the nursery and preparatory grade classes held at the Goducate literacy centers, Goducate also conducts free literacy and numeracy tutorials for unschooled children, as well as tutorials for school-going children who need help to cope with their schoolwork.
