Manila, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd), through its “Palengskwela” project, continues to strengthen its Alternative Learning System (ALS) by reaching out to out-of-school youths working as vendors in public markets.

Aided by the DepEd ALS mobile teachers, the project aims to educate the children of vendors who are at the marketplace. “While the parents are busy selling their produce in the markets, the ALS mobile teachers will gather and teach their children,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

Although the “Palengskwela” program targets children of market vendors, Luistro stressed that this is not limited to children. “Even market vendors, street sweepers and out-of-school youth can avail themselves of the program,” he explained.

The classes usually start at 8 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. at least once or twice a week.

“Palengskwela” is under the ALS which refers to the non-traditional learning delivery to out-of-school children, youths and adults who may either be indigenous people, rebel-returnees, those living in highly inaccessible areas, persons with disability, jobless adults, senior citizens, dropouts and others not served by formal education.

The education department has deployed 1,000 ALS mobile teachers nationwide who provide basic education to learners outside of the formal school system. “DepEd’s marching order to ALS mobile teachers is to provide them with functional literacy to enable them to become productive members of society,” said Luistro.

Those who went through ALS and earned their elementary or high school diplomas can take up technical vocational courses or pursue college degrees. “The classes are usually held in places where they can set up a 4 x 6 meter cramped space, partially painted and with improvised tables and chairs,” he added.

Luistro said that among the subjects being taught are reading, writing and mathematics. The students taking up the ALS can take the DepEd’s Accreditation and Equivalency examinations.

During DepEd’s recent visit to Tagum Public Market in Davao Del Norte, 38-year-old ALS mobile teacher Delio Caya shared how classes are conducted in the “bagsakan” area of the market. He has 17 students – 11 boys and six girls – in the secondary level.

Caya said that while it is difficult to conduct classes in such cramp places, he doesn’t give up because these children are the ones that need education the most. “These people are almost hopeless because of the situations they cannot control. I’m trying to provide them the best education that I can give," Delio explained in Filipino.

DepEd earlier said it is expecting an increase in enrolment to the ALS program to more than 390,000 or 16 percent, adding that the steady rise in enrolment can be attributed to the relevant curriculum which it is able to deliver direct to the learners by mobile teachers.

DepEd assured that it would pursue plans to strengthen the ALS which has given many Filipino youths and adults a second chance to educate themselves and thus help them rise from poverty.