Non-Formal Education and Informal Education are viewed as one of two components of the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The ALS is considered as the “other leg” of the country’s educational system and the 1987 Constitution states that “the government shall encourage formal, non-formal and indigenous learning system, as well as self-learning and out-of-school study programmes, particularly those that respond to community needs” (UNESCO 2009a). The major non-formal education programmes that are in operation are the Basic Literacy Program, the Accreditation and Equivalency Program and the Indigenous Peoples Education Program (UNESCO 2007). The Department of Education manages and administers NFE through its Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), formerly known as the Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) (UNESCO 2009a).
The challenges facing this sector include: lack of core and stable funding which greatly limits and interrupts the provision on NFE with the portion of the total education budget allotted to NFE at less than 1%; NFE activities are frequently affected and curtailed during periods of conflict and insecurity; and the need to encourage out-of-school Filipinos to enroll into NFE due to its diversity and flexibility. This will aid the achievement of EFA goals and promotes globalization (MoE 2008).
