Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself (John Dewey)... Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army (Edward Everett)... An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don‘ t (Anatole France)... Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance (Will Durant)... Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know (Daniel Boorstin)... Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire (William Butler Yeats)... By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest (Confucius)... An educated person is one who has learned that information almost always turns out to be at best incomplete (Russel Baker)...
After having carved a name for himself in the early days of his boxing career, Manny Pacquiao had the urge to go back and complete one of the basic elements an individual needs to succeed in life, his education. This is where he discovered the Alternative Learning System Program of the Department of Education, Philippines. Specifically designed for people who are unable to complete their basic formal education due to poverty and the lack of support. The program aims to integrate these individuals back to formal education and to make them productive citizens of society... (Bryan E. Unade)
ALS...How does it work?
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In ALS, students have to attend 10 months of school or 800 hours in the classroom. Then their performance are then assessed.
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Since ALS is a module-based learning system, students come in on a set time and choose a module to read. A quiz is given after each module to test their learning. Instead of teachers, facilitators are always present to answer any questions and sometimes lecturers would discuss a certain module. After several months, the students will take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET). If they pass the test, they will be given a high school diploma and can now enroll in college.
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The ALS Accreditation and Equivalency ALS A&E test aims to offer learners two learning achievements at two learning levels-- Elementary and Secondary.
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It is a paper and pencil-based test, using multiple choice and composition writing. The test items are based on the learning competencies of the five learning strands of the ALS Curriculum.
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A first year high school dropout, boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao took and passed the (AET) under the ALS program. He was presented a high school diploma, making eligible to pursue college. He was then named as the DepEd's Ambassador for the ALS and People’s Champ for Education. According to Education Secretary, Jesli Lapus, "Manny is an excellent model for all out-of-school children, youth and adults who are determined to learn and are able to gain functional literacy skills outside of formal schooling."
ALS... The Other Side of Education
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The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling and follows whatever is their available schedule. The program provides a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
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ALS...A Social Responsibility (The nation’s literacy is the people’s responsibility!)
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ALS aims to open more educational opportunities for Filipino citizens of different interests, capabilities of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic origins and status as well as addressing the needs of marginalized groups.
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The program cuts the time needed to finish high school, hence, significantly cuts the expenses as well. Aside from giving hope to the less fortunate, it also provides opportunities to Out-of-School Youths (OSY) and adults elementary and secondary school drop-outs; industry-based workers; housewives; maids; factory workers; drivers; members of cultural minorities; indigenous people and the disabled/physically challenged.
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ALS...A GO-NGO Project/GOVERNMENT-PRIVATE SECTOR Partnership
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Training for instructional managers and coordinators are also provided by the program and supports the learners accreditation and equivalency (A&E) review.
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, also known as Manny Pacquiao is one of the most famous Filipinos in the field of boxing the country has ever produced. Born December 17, 1978, in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines, Manny’s humble beginnings are not a secret to everyone. As a young lad, living in extreme poverty was a challenge his family had faced just like many others. He left home at the age of 14 for reasons that his parents can’t support the family’s basic needs.
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As a result of his difficulties, Manny was unable to complete his high school studies. A familiar situation faced by many youths in today’s society in the Philippines. Ending up in the streets of Manila, he took to boxing as a means to make ends meet. But what started as just a way to make money, the talent that he possessed earned him a place in the Philippine National Amateur Boxing Team where his further trainings were sponsored by the Government. This was the beginning of what was to be his greatest achievement in his life...
ALS ... A Point of Re-entry For Manny Pacquiao
After having carved a name for himself in the early days of his boxing career, Manny had the urge to go back and complete one of the basic elements an individual needs to succeed in life, his education. This is where he discovered the Alternative Learning System Program of the Department of Education, Philippines. Specifically designed for people who are unable to complete their basic formal education due to poverty and the lack of support. The program aims to integrate these individuals back to formal education and to make them productive citizens of society.
Having gone through the process of his studies in the said program, Manny took the high school equivalency test in February 2007 and passed making him eligible for college education. He was given a high school diploma for making the grade. Since then and in between his busy schedules, Manny enrolled for a college degree in business management at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) in his hometown in General Santos City. He was also conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities on February 18, 2009, by Southwestern University (SWU) in Cebu City in recognition of his boxing achievements and humanitarian work...​
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