Basic Education Curriculum for the Alternative Learning System (BEC-ALS)

The Basic Education Curriculum for the ALS:

• Ø  covers a set of competencies that a learner can achieve through the alternative learning process
• Ø  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
• Ø  was drawn from the 1997 Philippine Elementary Learning competencies and 1998 Philippine Secondary Schools Learning Competencies
• Ø  The BEC - ALS structure and content was based on the national definition of functional literacy and its major indicators developed by the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC)

CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK

New Definition of Functional Literacy
           A range of skills and competencies, cognitive, affective and behavioral which enables individuals to:

• Ø  live and work as human persons
• Ø  develop their potentials
• Ø  make critical and informed decisions
• Ø  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.

The BEC - ALS Learning Strands

• Ø  Communication Skills
• Ø  Problem Solving and Critical Thinking (scientific literacy and numeracy)
• Ø  Sustainable Use of Resources and Productivity
• Ø  Development of Self and a Sense of Community
• Ø  Expanding One’s World Vision

Each Learning Strand describes:

• Ø  a focus or foci
• Ø  terminal objectives
• Ø  sub-terminal objectives
• Ø  enabling objectives

These objectives are the competencies themselves which incorporate the essential knowledge, skills, attitude and values of the learning strand.

Each objective has a corresponding level of literacy:

• Ø  basic (BL)
• Ø  elementary (EL)
• Ø  secondary (SL)

Learners interested in obtaining Elementary Level Certificates need to develop proficiency of the basic and elementary level competencies.

Learners seeking Secondary Level Certificates need to develop proficiency of the secondary level competencies.

The emphasis of the competencies of the BEC-ALS is to:

• Ø  facilitate the practical application of knowledge and skills
• Ø  effect immediate improvement in the quality of the life of learners