THE DEPARTMENT of Education, in partnership with UNESCO Jakarta and Korea International Cooperation Agency Philippines, recently unveiled the new K to 12-aligned modules for the Alternative Learning System Program which aims to develop the skills of out-of-school youth and adults.

“In keeping with DepEd’s commitment to strengthen and intensify ALS, these new modules intend to aid the teaching and learning of 21st century skills that modules of the old ALS curriculum lack; this is another milestone not just for the Department but for our stakeholders as well,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

From 2019 to 2021, DepEd, through the Bureau of Alternative Education and Bureau of Learning Resources, collaborated with UNESCO Jakarta, KOICA Philippines, and Asia Pacific College in the development and design of the new modules.

The modules cover six learning strands under the enhanced ALS K to 12 Basic Education curriculum — Communication Skills for English and Filipino; Scientific and Critical Thinking Skills; Mathematical and Problem Solving Skills; Life and Career Skills; Understanding the Self and Society and Digital Literacy, which has been taught in the past years without the appropriate learning resources.

“We appreciate the support of KOICA and UNESCO Jakarta in this component of ALS. While the existing modules in the community learning centers can still be used, we will be most happy to see them [learners] acquire 21st century skills with updated learning resources, which will equip them when they pursue employment, or continue their education or training,” ALS Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat said.

Ambat said that more than 3 million Junior High School ALS learners aged 15 to 24 will benefit from the new modules.

Dr. Mee Young Choi, UNESCO Jakarta Education unit head, said that “these newly developed modules do not only directly help a large number of target beneficiaries, but also serve as a concrete product of DepEd, KOICA, and UNESCO’s collaboration, especially in compliance with Republic Act 11510 or the ALS Act.”