RENAMING THE BUREAU OF NONFORMAL EDUCATION TO BUREAU OF ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

WHEREAS, it is a declared State policy, “to protect
and promote the right of all citizen to quality basic education and to
promote the right of all citizens to quality basic education and such
education accessible to all by providing all Filipino children in the
elementary level and free education in the high school level.  Such
education shall also include alternative learning system for out-of
school youth and adult learners.”  (Section 2 of RA 9155, The Governance
of Basic Education Act of 2001)

WHEREAS, Section 12.1 Rule Xll
of R.A. 9155 stipulates that “the alternative Learning System is a
parallel learning system to provide a viable alternative to the existing
formal education instruction, encompassing both the nonformal and
informal sources of knowledge and skills”;

WHEREAS, the
Department of Education, through the Bureau of Nonformal Education is
mandated to ensure that all learning needs of marginalized learners are
addressed;

WHEREAS, one of the most important initiatives in
Nonformal Education in the Philippines in the last 10 years is the
Alternative Learning System (ALS), which is a major component of basic
education with a clearly defined role within the overall educational
goals;

WHEREAS, the ALS will respond to the need of a more
systematic and flexible approach in reaching to all types of learners
outside the school system;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL
ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in
me by law, do hereby order:

SEC. 1. The Bureau of Nonformal Education is hereby renamed to Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS).

SEC. 2. The Bureau of Alternative Learning System shall have the following functions:

a.  
Address the learning needs of the marginalized groups of the population
including the deprived, depressed and underserved citizens,
b.  
Coordinate with various agencies for skills development to enhance and
ensure continuing employability, efficiency, productivity, and
competitiveness in the labor market;
c.   Ensure the expansion of
access to educational opportunities for citizens of different interests,
capabilities demographic characteristics and socio-economic origins and
status; and
d.   Promote certification and accreditation of
alternative learning programs both formal and informal in nature for
basic education.

SEC. 3. Funds necessary
to carry out the provisions of this Executive Order shall be taken from
the present funds available in the Department of Education and shall
thereafter be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4.
All orders, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 5. This Executive Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette.Adopted: 13 Sept. 2004

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary