Dr. Juliet Aleta Villanueva (upper left), Dr. Jaspare Dumdum Vargas Barrido (upper right), Mr. Keneth S. Banes (lower left), and Dr. Maria Mercedes “Ched” E . Arzadon (lower right) engaged in a discussion on the challenges, experiences, lessons learned, and best practices for delivering ALS programs during the pandemic.
The University of the Philippine Open University (UPOU) aired the 11th episode of OPEN Talk which discussed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in the Philippines. This was held on 4 August 2021 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Titled “Remote Learning para sa SPED at Katutubo, Paano nga ba?,” the discussion focused on the ALS program for children with special needs and the Indigenous Peoples (IP), specifically how educators for these groups deliver their programs during this pandemic.
The episode featured Dr. Jaspare Dumdum Vargas Barrido, Master Teacher, and Mr. Keneth S. Banes, ALS Mobile Teacher, as the resource persons. Both are from the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System of the District of Barotac Viejo in Iloilo. Dr. Juliet Aleta Villanueva of the UPOU Faculty of Education and Dr. Maria Mercedes “Ched” E. Arzadon of the UP Diliman College of Education served as the moderators.
The resource persons shared their challenges, experiences, lessons learned, and best practices for delivering ALS education activities during the pandemic. Dr. Barrido reminded the viewers that ALS practitioners help and encourage the ALS students to value people and help them improve. He then highlighted the importance of maintaining a “clean working environment” to be able to attract more support and partnerships for various ALS projects and initiatives. When asked on how to empower the IPs, he suggested to remind them that they should be proud of their unique culture and heritage. When it comes to obtaining and mobilizing resources, he underscored the benefits of establishing and strengthening partnerships and linkages.
Mr. Banes, on his part, stressed the importance of outcome rather than income, and how the lives of the IPs are changed. As an ALS teacher, he finds joy and fulfillment in the change, movement, and improvement of his students. He also revealed that ALS teachers and facilitators also function like social workers since they also handle students with disabilities, those who are victims of abuse, and others who are in similar situations. He also emphasized the need for materials and other resources especially in the midst of the pandemic.
Dr. Arzadon acknowledged the importance of ALS in giving the IPs a sense of identity as learners or students. She recognized the need for ALS teachers to be lifelong learners since formal education on the profession is limited and not regular. She also found it interesting and even suggested for barangay health workers (BHW) to be tapped as ALS teachers. Dr. Villanueva also shared the same sentiments with the speakers and highlighted the need for ALS practitioners to build partnerships and linkages with the private groups, businesses, and organizations, among others. She also gave credit to the versatility of ALS teachers especially in challenging situations like the pandemic. She asserted that, while content and coverage can be an issue in formal schooling set up, teaching and learning in ALS is personalized, thereby making the latter more beneficial and effective. In her concluding message, Dr. Villanueva encouraged everyone to support the ALS law.
OPEN Talk 11 was streamed live and can be re-watched on the UPOU Networks Website and the UPOU Networks Facebook page.
Sustainable Development Goals
Written by Jaime Guimbao
Edited by Joane V. Serrano and Anna Cañas-Llamas