PB asks towns, cities to grant assistance to ALS teachers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board is urging component cities and municipalities in the province and the Department of Education-7 to closely coordinate with each other in providing “sustainable” assistance to the volunteer teachers of the Alternative Learning System.

In his approved resolution, Board member Miguel Antonio Magpale stated that the volunteer teachers who instruct in the ALS expressed need for assistance in terms of transportation and educational supplies.

He said most ALS teachers have to go to far-flung areas in order to reach out to “willing and able” learners.

“Supports from varies sources especially from local government units will significantly contribute to the provision of education for willing and able learners who are deprived of such right because of socio-economical constraints,” he added.

ALS is a free education program implemented by the Department of Education under the Bureau of Alternative Learning System, which benefits those who cannot afford formal schooling. This is also in adherence to Republic Act 9155 or the Governance of Basic Education of 2001 that established the ALS.

ALS in the Cebu province division asked the provincial government for additional transportation allowance for its mobile teachers where it was disclosed that transportation allowance to the mobile teachers is insufficient especially to those who are assigned in far flung towns in the province.

The request got the nod of the provincial government as Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III earlier said the province is willing to help them but has yet to study as to where the fund would be sourced out.

The amount to be given to ALS was not yet determined.

As of June, there is a total of 45 mobile teachers in the entire province who are given P2,000 allowance each for every month by the Bureau of Alternative Learning System. One ALS teacher is assigned for every city and municipality in the province. —/ATO (FREEMAN)