SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go believes that the government can improve the delivery of education and skills training with the implementation of student-centered systems.

He said that these approaches would also strengthen the Philippine workforce by providing the proper conditions to enable Filipinos to compete in the global market.

“Amid the ongoing health crisis, we should continue to look for ways to ease the mental, emotional and financial burdens of our students and their families. Hangad natin ay hindi lang mas maraming estudyanteng nag-aaral. Target din natin na mas maraming nakakapagsitapos ng pag-aaral,” Go stressed.

He lauded the signing by President Rodrigo Duterte of Republic Act 11510 which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System and improves the delivery of basic education to the underserved and disadvantaged.

“Education is a constitutionally enshrined right which the State must protect and promote. Thus, ensuring education for all should be a top priority. For this to be achieved, it is vital that opportunities to learn and receive quality education are accessible to all those who so desire,” Go said.

The new law provides the support lacking for indigenous students, students from less privileged backgrounds, and those with physical and learning disabilities.

The ALS provides them with specialized programs and alternative education approaches and strategies which they otherwise would not be able to receive within the formal learning system.

Under the new law, students can develop knowledge, skills and selected competencies through a combination of learning modalities, including face-to-face learning sessions, modular instruction, digital instruction and workshops, among others.

The law also directs the establishment of a Bureau of Alternative Education which will serve as the focal office of the Department of Education in ensuring the proper implementation of the ALS programs.

Go also pushed Senate Bill 1907 which seeks to boost learning programs for students with disabilities.