ABSTRACT
This study determined the current status of the ALS graduates of Malita North District, Division of Davao Occidental. Descriptive-correlational statistical tools were employed in the analysis of data. Results indicate that the majority of the respondents pursued technical/vocational programs. Employment data showed that almost half of the respondents are self-employed and those employed are generally working in the country and engaged in personal services at a contractual status occupying rank and file position with an average monthly income of P7,500.00 to which their average transition from ALS completion to employment is 3.5 months. The ALS graduates showed proficient academic performance which means that the students at this level had developed fundamental knowledge, skills, and understanding, and can transfer them automatically and flexibly through authentic tasks. Employers gave feedback that ALS graduates possessed problem-solving skills and showed efficiency in works. The relationship between academic performance and the work performance of the ALS graduates showed no correlation. This means that the work performance of the ALS graduates is not attributed to their academic performance.
Keywords: Education, Alternative learning system graduates, status, descriptive-correlation design, Philippines
INTRODUCTION
Alternative system of learning as described in R.A. 9155 is a parallel system of learning that provides a viable alternative to current formal education. This encompasses both non-formal and informal knowledge and skills outlets (as defined by RA 9155 Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001). Despite significant improvements in primary and secondary education in recent years, there remains an alarmingly high number of students dropping out of school. World Bank reports that over five million young people have not completed basic education.
There are two major programs of ALS such as: Basic Literacy Program (BLP) and Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E). The Basic Literacy Program is a program aimed at eradicating analphabetism between out - of-school youth and adults (in extreme cases, children of school age) by improving basic reading, writing and numeracy literacy skills. These programs has two methods of instruction; school-based and community-based. Under the school-based program, classes are held inside school campuses while in the community-based program, classes are held in community halls or on private places.
The ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test, also known as the A&E Non-formal Education Test, is a paper and pencil test designed to measure the abilities of those who have not attended or completed primary or secondary education in the formal school system. Passers of the A&E Test are given a certificate/diploma, bearing the Department of Education (DepEd) seal and the signature of the Secretary, certifying their competencies as comparable graduates of the formal school system. Passers are responsible for high school or post-secondary enrollment.
The goal is to provide all Filipinos who have dropped out of the formal school system with access to full basic education by implementing various programs using different delivery methods that match their specific situations and needs. The Malita North District provides the ALS learners the competencies and necessary skills to prepare them for the following opportunities: enroll in post-secondary courses like technical/vocational, two/four/five-year courses of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Philippine Association State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) (for government owned/controlled) member institutions; Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) skills training programs; and acquire eligibility for the government employment positions. It also offers a better opportunity for learners who want to land a job if they do not want to pursue higher education.
ALS in Malita North District was implemented in the year 2001 but there is no available data from 2001 to 2006. Based from data in school year 2007 to 2018, the ALS Malita North District produced 354 secondary passers in different barangays such as: Demoloc, Pinalpalan, Kilalag, Sangay, Poblacion, Pangian, Tubalan, and Buhangin.
Therefore, there is a need to study and trace the status of the ALS graduate, not only to locate them but more importantly to find out how adequate is the training of skills and knowledge provided by the Alternative Learning System of Malita Davao Occidental, their academic performance to higher studies and their current socio-demographic profile. With the statements above, the researcher is interested to conduct a tracer study of secondary Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates in Malita North District, Malita Davao Occidental.
Objectives of the Study
The study was conducted to determine the current status of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates. Specifically, this aimed to:
1. Determine the socio-demographic profile of the ALS graduates:
1.1 Age;
1.2 Sex;
1.3 Civil Status; and
1.4 Number of Children
2. Determine the status of the graduates in terms of:
2.1 Current status;
2.2 Educational Level pursued;
2.3 Sector;
2.4 Position;
2.5 Type of work;
2.6 Tenure of work;
2.7 Place of work;
2.8 Monthly income;
2.9 Length of transition from ALS to employment/higher
education; and
2.10 Reasons for not working/or not seeking employment.
3. Determine the level of academic performance of ALS graduates based on Certificate of Ratings.
4. Determine the feedback of employers on the work performance of ALS graduates.
5. Determine the relationship between academic performance and work performance of ALS graduates.
Significance of the Study
The result of this study may offer benefits to the learners, implementers, and program supervisors of ALS including the researcher and other researchers who may be doing researches related to ALS as indicated:
Learners
The learners being referred to here are those who are enrolled currently in ALS and are about to take the next Accreditation and Equivalency test. Upon determining the level of their academic performance and the feedback of employers on their work performance, they would be the beneficiaries of learning interventions needed that would improve ALS program implementation.
ALS Implementers
They would be able to implement teaching interventions that would improve the performance of the learners in A and E test by modifying the interventions that were used for the previous ALS learning program implementation. Further, they would be provided with data or factors that are not being considered or given attention to but are of significance to the A and E test takers’ performance.
ALS Program Supervisors
The findings of this study will be used as benchmark to conceptualize various development programs for ALS learners, implementers, and stakeholders that would bring progress to the competitiveness of learners in their academic and work performances.
Future Researchers
The result of this study could be used as part of the literature of their future researches. They could also use this study to develop related research/es by incorporating variables that are lacking or not presented in this paper.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The respondents of this study was limited to secondary ALS graduates in Malita North District, Malita, Davao Occidental from 2007 to 2018 passers. The conduct of this study started on February to March 2019.
Definition of Terms
Alternative Learning System (ALS) – is the Department of Education's flagship program offering non-formal education to out-of- school Filipino youths and adults who have failed to complete basic education.
ALS Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test- previously an Accreditation and Equivalency Test in the Non-formal Education- it is a standardized test designed to assess the competence of those who have not attended or completed elementary or secondary level of education in the formal school system.
ALS Graduates – this refers to students who passed the ALS Acceleration and Equivalency Test (A&E).
Educational Level Pursued – this refers to the level of education pursued by the secondary ALS graduates.
Employment – this refers to the condition of having paid work.
Employment condition- this refers to the career standing of the secondary ALS graduates whether employed, on professional training, advanced academic study, unemployed and others.
Kind of Employer- this refers to the kind of employer whether private government or self-employed.
Socio-demographic profile -These refer to the profile of the graduates or respondents of the study.
Tenure of work - This refers to the term of work, whether regular/permanent, temporary, casual, or contractual.
The Basic Literacy Program - is a program designed at uprooting illiteracy among out-of-school children and youth who were at their school age including also the adults through the development of basic literacy skills in reading, writing and numeracy.
Tracer Study - It refers to a survey of graduates of any institutions. In this study, it is a process of knowing the current status of the secondary ALS Graduates as to education pursued, employment condition and the level of achievement.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The Alternative Learning System in the Philippines
Each Filipino has a right to free basic education, but many Filipinos have no opportunity to attend and complete formal basic education. There are those who have dropped out of school for different external and internal causes, while some have no schools in their neighborhoods (Atilano, et al, 2016). By declaring in the Constitution of 1987 — The State shall protect and encourage the right of all people to quality education at all levels and take appropriate steps to make such education available to all, the Government has vowed to eliminate analphabetism and give education to all citizens. The Philippines has been head-to-head with its fight against analphabetism for decades and puts so much focus on developing basic education as it involves the nation's growth and development (Rodriguez, 2007).
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