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Second Chances: Exploring the Philippine Alternative Learning System

Year 2024, , 1 - 16, 02.08.2024
https://doi.org/10.52134/ueader.1445226

Abstract

Education for all has been a campaign of education advocates over the years. But despite having various education initiatives and programs that promote inclusivity, there are still learners who have left the traditional teaching and learning environment. In the Philippines, the Alternative Learning System (ALS), which is considered to be a parallel learning program, serves as a bridge for those who are unable to attend the formal education system due to various circumstances. Hence, this paper aims to deeply understand the reasons behind students’ dropping out of formal education. Additionally, using a qualitative case study research design, this attempts to examine the authentic experiences of out-of-school youths and adults that led them leave the four corners of classroom. Interestingly, the results of this study revealed that ALS students left the formal education system due to problems with family, personal conflicts, financial concerns, and accessibility concerns. Nevertheless, the narratives shared by the participants served as a way of deeply understanding the root cause that impedes their learning journey as they navigate the path of alternative education.
Keywords: Adult education, Alternative Learning System, Education for all, Inclusive education, Out-of-school youths and adults

References

  • Ainsworth, M. (2005). Socioeconomic Determinants of Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Summary of the Findings of a World Bank Research Project. Washington D.C.: The World Bank
  • Albert, J. R. G., & Raymundo, M. J. M. (2016). Trends in out-of-school children and other basic education statistics (No. 2016-39). PIDS Discussion Paper Series. https://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/websitecms/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1639.pdf
  • Albert, J. R. G., Abrigo, M. R. M., Quimba, F. M. A., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2020). Poverty, the middle class, and income distribution amid COVID-19. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/ pidsdps2022.pdf
  • Arzadon, M. & Nato, R. (2015). The Philippine Alternative Learning System: Expanding the educational future of the deprived, depressed, and underserved. The 9th International Conference on Research Work and Learning (RWL9). http://hdl.voced.edu.au/10707/394970
  • Basumatary, R. (2012). School dropout across Indian states and UTs: An econometric study. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, 1(4), 28-35.
  • Bourdieu, P. & Passeron, J.C. (1977) Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture. London: Sage.
  • Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Sage.
  • Chenge, R. P., Chenge, E., & Maunganidze, L. (2017). Family factors that contribute to school dropout in Rushinga District in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Law, Humanities & Social Science, 1(4), 87-105. https://www.ijlhss.com/ wpcontent/uploads/2017/09/ Family-Factors-that-contribute-to-school-dropout-in-Rushinga-District-in-Zimbabwe.pdf
  • Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of marriage and family, 72(3), 685-704. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00725.x
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2015). 30 essential skills for the qualitative researcher. Sage.
  • David, C. C., Albert, J. R. G., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2018). Out-of-School Children: Changing Landscape of School Attendance and Barriers to Completion. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1825.pdf
  • Davis, W. R. (2014). Preparing at-risk students' to be productive citizens through a service-learning program [Doctoral dissertation, Jones International University].
  • Department of Education. (2019). Alternative Learning System – Education and skills training handbook for implementers. Pasig City, Philippines.
  • Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (2000). Handbook of qualitative research. Sage.
  • Doob, C. B. (2019). Social inequality and social stratification in US society. Routledge.
  • Doronila, M. L. C. (1997). A research and development approach to the delivery of comprehensive functional education and literacy in the Philippines. Paper Presented at the Asia Literacy Regional Forum, May 5-9, 1997, Manila.
  • Dupéré, V., Dion, E., Leventhal, T., Archambault, I., Crosnoe, R., & Janosz, M. (2018). High school dropout in proximal context: The triggering role of stressful life events. Child development, 89(2), e107-e122. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12792
  • Ebora, M. D., & Guillo Jr., R. M. (2018). Comprehensive management plan for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the division of Batangas City. International Journal of Research – GRANTHAALAYAH, 6(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1241442
  • Esterberg, K. G. (2002). Qualitative methods in social research. McGraw-Hill.
  • Felisilda, M. M. A., & Torreon, L. C. (2020). Effects of broken family on pupils’ behavioral development and academic success. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(10), 216-223. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i10.2020.1526
  • Faulkner, S. L., & Trotter, S. P. (2017). Data saturation. The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods, 1–2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ 9781118901731.iecrm0060
  • Gamboa, M. A. M., Rivera, R. R. B., & Reyes, M. R. D. (2019). City profile: Manila, Philippines. Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 10(2), 331–358. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0975425319859149
  • Gilleard, C. (2020). Bourdieu's forms of capital and the stratification of later life. Journal of Aging Studies, 53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2020.100851
  • Ikpuri, E. O. (2023). The Role of Social Reproduction Theory in Understanding the Issue of Inequality in the United States Education System. International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science, 6(9), 140-146.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
  • Mughal, A. W., Aldridge, J., & Monaghan, M. (2019). Perspectives of dropped-out children on their dropping out from public secondary schools in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Development, 66, 52-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2019.02.004
  • National Economic Development Authority and UNICEF. (2018). Situation analysis of children in the Philippines: A summary report. UNICEF. Retrieved on April 10, 2020 from https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media/556/file
  • National Economic Development Authority. (2014). The Philippines fifth progress report – Millennium Development Goals executive summary. NEDA. Retrieved on April 14, 2020 from https://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/MDG-Progress-Report-5-Final.pdf
  • Omollo, A. E., & Yambo, J. M. (2017). Influence of peer pressure on secondary school students drop out in Rongo sub-county, Migori county, Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(9), 73-78. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1138838.pdf
  • Omoruyi, I. V. (2014). Influence of broken homes on academic performance and personality development of the adolescents in Lagos State Metropolis. European Journal of Educational and Development Psychology, 2(2), 10-23.
  • Philippine Statistics Authority. (2015). Statistics at a glance of the Philippines' progress based on the MDG indicators. Retrieved on May 3, 2020 from http://www.psa.gov.ph/mdgs-main/mdg-watch
  • Rogers, A. (2005). Non-formal education: Flexible schooling or participatory education?. Springer.
  • Sahin, S., Arseven, Z., & Kiliç, A. (2016). Causes of student absenteeism and school dropouts. International Journal of Instruction, 9(1), 195-210. https://doi.org/10.12973/ iji.2016.9115a
  • Saldaña, J. (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage.
  • Sani, H., Soon, J.J. & Cheah, Y.K. (2019). Accessibility to, and equal opportunity for education for poverty reduction in Nigeria: The national economic empowerment and development strategy (NEEDS) perspective. Society & Sustainability, 1(1), 18-37. https://riiopenjournals.com/index.php/society_sustainability/index
  • Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage.
  • Stake, R. E. (2000). The art of case study research: Perspectives on practice (2nd ed.). Sage.
  • UNESCO. (2015). Education for all 2000–2015: Achievements and challenges. Education for all Global monitoring report 2015. UNESCO. Retrieved on May 2, 2020 from https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/report/2015/education-all-2000-2015achievements-and-challenges
  • Villasis, J. C., & Abante, K. I. I. (2020). Everyone should count: Barriers and opportunities for birth registration in the Philippines. Retrieved on September 2, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340645167_Everyone_ Should_Count_Barriers_and_Opportunities_for_Birth_Registration_in_the_Philippines_WeSolve_Working_Paper
  • Willis, P. (1977) Learning to Labour: how working-class kids get working-class jobs. Farnborough: Saxon House.
  • Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Yin, R.K. (2014). Case study research design and methods (5th ed.). Sage. http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.30.1.108
Year 2024, , 1 - 16, 02.08.2024
https://doi.org/10.52134/ueader.1445226

Abstract

References

  • Ainsworth, M. (2005). Socioeconomic Determinants of Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Summary of the Findings of a World Bank Research Project. Washington D.C.: The World Bank
  • Albert, J. R. G., & Raymundo, M. J. M. (2016). Trends in out-of-school children and other basic education statistics (No. 2016-39). PIDS Discussion Paper Series. https://dirp3.pids.gov.ph/websitecms/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1639.pdf
  • Albert, J. R. G., Abrigo, M. R. M., Quimba, F. M. A., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2020). Poverty, the middle class, and income distribution amid COVID-19. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/ pidsdps2022.pdf
  • Arzadon, M. & Nato, R. (2015). The Philippine Alternative Learning System: Expanding the educational future of the deprived, depressed, and underserved. The 9th International Conference on Research Work and Learning (RWL9). http://hdl.voced.edu.au/10707/394970
  • Basumatary, R. (2012). School dropout across Indian states and UTs: An econometric study. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, 1(4), 28-35.
  • Bourdieu, P. & Passeron, J.C. (1977) Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture. London: Sage.
  • Charmaz, K. (2006). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis. Sage.
  • Chenge, R. P., Chenge, E., & Maunganidze, L. (2017). Family factors that contribute to school dropout in Rushinga District in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Law, Humanities & Social Science, 1(4), 87-105. https://www.ijlhss.com/ wpcontent/uploads/2017/09/ Family-Factors-that-contribute-to-school-dropout-in-Rushinga-District-in-Zimbabwe.pdf
  • Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of marriage and family, 72(3), 685-704. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00725.x
  • Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Sage.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2015). 30 essential skills for the qualitative researcher. Sage.
  • David, C. C., Albert, J. R. G., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2018). Out-of-School Children: Changing Landscape of School Attendance and Barriers to Completion. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1825.pdf
  • Davis, W. R. (2014). Preparing at-risk students' to be productive citizens through a service-learning program [Doctoral dissertation, Jones International University].
  • Department of Education. (2019). Alternative Learning System – Education and skills training handbook for implementers. Pasig City, Philippines.
  • Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (2000). Handbook of qualitative research. Sage.
  • Doob, C. B. (2019). Social inequality and social stratification in US society. Routledge.
  • Doronila, M. L. C. (1997). A research and development approach to the delivery of comprehensive functional education and literacy in the Philippines. Paper Presented at the Asia Literacy Regional Forum, May 5-9, 1997, Manila.
  • Dupéré, V., Dion, E., Leventhal, T., Archambault, I., Crosnoe, R., & Janosz, M. (2018). High school dropout in proximal context: The triggering role of stressful life events. Child development, 89(2), e107-e122. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12792
  • Ebora, M. D., & Guillo Jr., R. M. (2018). Comprehensive management plan for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the division of Batangas City. International Journal of Research – GRANTHAALAYAH, 6(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1241442
  • Esterberg, K. G. (2002). Qualitative methods in social research. McGraw-Hill.
  • Felisilda, M. M. A., & Torreon, L. C. (2020). Effects of broken family on pupils’ behavioral development and academic success. International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH, 8(10), 216-223. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v8.i10.2020.1526
  • Faulkner, S. L., & Trotter, S. P. (2017). Data saturation. The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods, 1–2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ 9781118901731.iecrm0060
  • Gamboa, M. A. M., Rivera, R. R. B., & Reyes, M. R. D. (2019). City profile: Manila, Philippines. Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 10(2), 331–358. https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0975425319859149
  • Gilleard, C. (2020). Bourdieu's forms of capital and the stratification of later life. Journal of Aging Studies, 53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2020.100851
  • Ikpuri, E. O. (2023). The Role of Social Reproduction Theory in Understanding the Issue of Inequality in the United States Education System. International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science, 6(9), 140-146.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
  • Mughal, A. W., Aldridge, J., & Monaghan, M. (2019). Perspectives of dropped-out children on their dropping out from public secondary schools in rural Pakistan. International Journal of Educational Development, 66, 52-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2019.02.004
  • National Economic Development Authority and UNICEF. (2018). Situation analysis of children in the Philippines: A summary report. UNICEF. Retrieved on April 10, 2020 from https://www.unicef.org/philippines/media/556/file
  • National Economic Development Authority. (2014). The Philippines fifth progress report – Millennium Development Goals executive summary. NEDA. Retrieved on April 14, 2020 from https://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/MDG-Progress-Report-5-Final.pdf
  • Omollo, A. E., & Yambo, J. M. (2017). Influence of peer pressure on secondary school students drop out in Rongo sub-county, Migori county, Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 8(9), 73-78. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1138838.pdf
  • Omoruyi, I. V. (2014). Influence of broken homes on academic performance and personality development of the adolescents in Lagos State Metropolis. European Journal of Educational and Development Psychology, 2(2), 10-23.
  • Philippine Statistics Authority. (2015). Statistics at a glance of the Philippines' progress based on the MDG indicators. Retrieved on May 3, 2020 from http://www.psa.gov.ph/mdgs-main/mdg-watch
  • Rogers, A. (2005). Non-formal education: Flexible schooling or participatory education?. Springer.
  • Sahin, S., Arseven, Z., & Kiliç, A. (2016). Causes of student absenteeism and school dropouts. International Journal of Instruction, 9(1), 195-210. https://doi.org/10.12973/ iji.2016.9115a
  • Saldaña, J. (2009). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Sage.
  • Sani, H., Soon, J.J. & Cheah, Y.K. (2019). Accessibility to, and equal opportunity for education for poverty reduction in Nigeria: The national economic empowerment and development strategy (NEEDS) perspective. Society & Sustainability, 1(1), 18-37. https://riiopenjournals.com/index.php/society_sustainability/index
  • Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Sage.
  • Stake, R. E. (2000). The art of case study research: Perspectives on practice (2nd ed.). Sage.
  • UNESCO. (2015). Education for all 2000–2015: Achievements and challenges. Education for all Global monitoring report 2015. UNESCO. Retrieved on May 2, 2020 from https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/report/2015/education-all-2000-2015achievements-and-challenges
  • Villasis, J. C., & Abante, K. I. I. (2020). Everyone should count: Barriers and opportunities for birth registration in the Philippines. Retrieved on September 2, 2021 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340645167_Everyone_ Should_Count_Barriers_and_Opportunities_for_Birth_Registration_in_the_Philippines_WeSolve_Working_Paper
  • Willis, P. (1977) Learning to Labour: how working-class kids get working-class jobs. Farnborough: Saxon House.
  • Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Yin, R.K. (2014). Case study research design and methods (5th ed.). Sage. http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.30.1.108
There are 43 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Out-of-School Learning
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Abel, Jr. Alvarez 0000-0002-2319-6881

Early Pub Date September 15, 2024
Publication Date August 2, 2024
Submission Date February 29, 2024
Acceptance Date May 26, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024

Cite

APA Alvarez, A. J. (2024). Second Chances: Exploring the Philippine Alternative Learning System. International Journal of Scholars in Education, 7(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.52134/ueader.1445226