Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Open University System

Education in
Community
Development
MEM 645
Characteristics and Basic Differences between
Formal and Nonformal Education in terms of:

A. Structure and Management

According to DECS Order No. 28, s. 1999 Revised Policy Framework for the Implementation of
Nonformal Education Programs, here are the list of contrasting terminologies referred by the
DECS NFE implementors to clarify the differences between formal and nonformal education:

FORMAL NONFORMAL
Pedagogy Andragogy
Academic Focus Functional Focus
School Learning Center
Pupil/Student Learner
Teacher Instructional Manager/Facilitator
Class Learning Group/Session
Subject Learning Strand
Grade/Year Level Levels of Literacy
Textbooks Learning Material/Modules
Lesson Plan Session Guide
Graduate Completer
Diploma Certificate
Teacher’s Manual Facilitator’s Guide
 Nonformal Education Accreditation
and Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
 It was developed by the Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE) as
a core component of the ADB-assisted Philippines Nonformal
Education Project (PNFEP)-ADB Loan No. 1254- PHI (SF)

 It was launched by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in Aroma,

Tondo, Manila (formerly Smokey Mountain) on January 25, 1999

 1999 was the year of its pilot implementation in five regions of the
Philippines (NCR, Regions 5, 7, 9, 12)

 National implementation through DepEd Order No. 47, s. 2002 dated

September 12, 2002
Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE) – renamed as Bureau of
Alternative Learning System (BALS) by the Executive Order No.
356 dated September 13, 2004

Bureau of Alternative Learning System(BALS) – together with the

Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) and Bureau of Secondary
Education (BSE),it is consolidated under rationalized/new offices of
Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) and Bureau of Learning
Delivery (BLD)

(See DepEd Order No. 52, s. 2015 New Organizational Structures of

the Central, Regional, Schools Division Offices of the Department of
Education)
 Department of Education,
Culture and Sports
(DECS)

-renamed as Department
of Education (DepEd) by the
Republic Act No. 9155
(RA 9155) otherwise known
as the Governance of Basic Education Act of
2001, issued last August 2001.
 NONFORMAL EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION AND EQUIVALENCY
SYSTEM (NFE A&E)

VERSUS

ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM

(ALS)
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
 is a pioneering effort to offer a uniquely
nonformal alternative learning system to
form schooling.
 it is built around a truly nonformal education
curriculum and utilizes a range of innovative
nonformal learning strategies designed to
break down traditional learning barriers of
time, accessibility and resource.
 it allows flexible entry and exit points and
aims to maximize learner’s control of the
learning process.
 It happens outside the classroom,
community-based, usually conducted at
community learning centers, barangay multi-
purpose hall, libraries or at home or any
situation which affords appropriate
experiences may be employed as a learning
site.
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
• It is a parallel learning system in the
Philippines that provides a practical option to
the existing formal instruction. When one
does not have or cannot access formal
education in schools, DepEd ALS is an
alternate or substitute.
• ALS includes both the non-formal and
informal sources of knowledge and skills.
• It has two different schematics for conducting
instructions: School-based (school
campuses) and Community-based
(community halls or on private places).
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
• Out-of-School Youth and Adults
• Functional illiterates
• Unemployed OSY and adults
• Elementary and Secondary
school drop-outs
• Industry-based workers
• Differently-abled
• Members of cultural
communities (indigenous)
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
 Elementary and Secondary
School Leavers
 Out-of-School Children – 6-14
years old
 Out-of-School Youth – 15-24
years old
 Out-of-School Adults – 25
years old and above
 Anyone who has not
completed 12 – year of basic
education.
Learning Support
Delivery System
Or
Delivery
Mechanism
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
• Delivery Mode 1 – Contracting of capable
individual organizations as NFE A&E LSDS
Service Providers, e.g., individual NGOs,
SUCs, private colleges with outreach
programs, Church-Based Organizations,
People’s Organizations
• Delivery Mode 2 – Contracting of capable
umbrella organizations to implement NFE
A&E LSDS trough tapping their network
members as service providers
• Delivery Mode 3 – Using DECS-Employed
NFE Implementers to perform the role of
Instructional Managers/Facilitators, with
DECS-NFE officials providing program
implementation support services.
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
• DepEd-delivered refers to the ALS program
implementation directly carried out by DepEd ALS
implementers, such as the Mobile Teachers, and
District ALS Coordinators who are both employed by
DepEd and hold regular teacher items;
• DepEd-procured refers to the ALS program
implementation carried out by service providers
contracted by the DepEd through the Schools Division
Superintendent, such as NGOs, people’s
organizations, literacy volunteers, and other
community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Non-DepEd Financed/Partners refers to the
implementation of ALS programs by non-DepEd
organizations, such as Local Government Units
(LGUs), NGOs, and other government organizations,
international donor agencies, church-based
organizations and individuals on a voluntary basis
using their own resources.
 Language
of
Instruction
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E) Alternative Learning System (ALS)

• At the Basic Literacy Level, the language of instruction

will be the learner’s first language.

• At the Elementary Level, instruction will be in Filipino

except for English language skills. For some learners this
will be Filipino as a second (or other) language.

• At the Secondary Level, instruction will be in Filipino

except for English language.
Curriculum
Framework
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
 which contains a learning continuum of essential
skills, knowledge, attitudes and values desired for
nonformal basic education and which are
designed to be comparable to the formal school
system.
 emphasizes “functionality” and does not
conform to the traditional subject approach of the
formal school system.
 it aims to develop the basic skills adult learners
need to function successfully in their roles as a
parent, worker, and community member.
 the emphasis is on providing learners
opportunities for practical application of new
knowledge and skills gained in order to facilitate
immediate improvements in the quality of their
lives.
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
 contains a learning continuum of essential and functional
skills, knowledge and values appropriate for ALS basic
education designed to be comparable to the basic education
in the formal school system
 drawn from the 1997 Philippine Elementary Learning
competencies and 1998 Philippine Secondary Schools
Learning Competencies
 structure and content was based on the national definition of
functional literacy and its major indicators developed by the
Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC)
New Definition of Functional Literacy:
A range of skills and competencies, cognitive, affective and
behavioral which enables individuals to:
 live and work as human persons
 develop their potentials
 make critical and informed decisions
 function effectively in society within the context of their
environment and that of the wider community (local,
national, regional & global)
in order to improve the quality of their life and that of society.
Learning
Materials
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
NFE A&E Learning Materials
 which are based on the NFE A&E
Curriculum Framework
 designed to provide learning support
for out-of-school youth and adults
who wish to continue learning outside
the formal school system
 use in preparation for certification of
learning achievement through
successful accomplishment of a
National NFE A&E test.
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
ALS A&E Modules
 These are the most important
source of learning under ALS
A&E System
 It contains information on
different topics of interest
 It includes discussions,
activities, self-assessment
exercises, drawings, articles
and other sources of
information
Learning
Strands
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E) Alternative Learning System (ALS)
According to DECS Order No. 28, s.1999 Revised Policy Framework for the Implementation
of Non Formal Education Programs, the indicators of functional literacy have been formulated
into five learning strands:

1.Communication Skills
 ability to clearly express one’s ideas and feelings orally and nonverbally
 ability to listen
 ability to read, comprehend and respond to ideas presented
 ability to write and clearly express one’s ideas and feelings
 ability to access, process and utilize available basic and multi-media information

2.Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

 numeracy skills
 to be open to change
 to be aware of options
 ability to make critical and informed decisions
 innovativeness and creativity
 scientific thinking
 future orientation
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E) Alternative Learning System (ALS)
3.Sustainable Use of Resources/ Productivity
 ability to earn a living
 sustainable use of resources (including time) and appropriate technology
 Entrepreneurship
 productivity

4.Development of Self as a Sense of Community

 self-development (self-awareness, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-worth, self-realization,may
paninindigan, pagbabagong-loob)
 pakikipagkapwa (pakikilahok, pakikiisa/kapatiran)
 a sense of personal and national identity
 knowledge of one’s history, pride in one’s culture and respect for those of others, and recognition
practice of civil and political rights)

5.Expanding One’s World Vision

 knowledge, respect and appreciation for diversity
 peace
 nonviolent resolution of conflicts
 global awareness and solidarity
Accreditation
and
Equivalency
Test
 Nonformal Education Accreditation and
Equivalency System (NFE A&E)
NFE A&E Test
 which is based on the NFE A&E Curriculum  formerly known as the Non-formal Education A&E
Framework and content of the NFE A&E
Learning Materials
 designed to provide two levels of certification
of learning achievement comparable to the
formal elementary and secondary education
system.
 Passers will be given a certificate signed by
the Secretary of the Department of
Education Culture and Sports (DECS).
 Passers in Elementary Level NFE A&E may
desire to continue to upgrade their skills and  Passers in Secondary Level who have not yet
competencies by enrolling in the Secondary
Level NFE A&E Learning Support System.
 Others may enter formal training programs
such as those offered by TESDA.
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
ALS A&E Test
Test, is a paper and pencil test designed to
measure the competencies of those who have
neither attended nor finished elementary 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 in Elementary Level are qualified to
enroll in secondary schools
enrolled in college, CHED is giving them until S.Y.
2019-2020 to be accepted to college education
without having to go through senior high school.
 Presented by:
Kissarah B. Villanueva
MEM 1-C
Nonformal Education Accreditation Alternative Learning System (ALS)
and Equivalency System (NFE A&E)

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